The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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