The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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