The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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