The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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