The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public identifying details of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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