The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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