The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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