The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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