The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives 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 case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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