The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting 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 suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in 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 disclose personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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