The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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