The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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