The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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