🔗 Share this article Senate Passes Legislation to Release Epstein Records The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House. Unanimous Approval in Congress The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority. “The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.” Next Steps The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation. Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him. Reaction The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation. Other News Updates Trump is under fire for referring to a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation onboard Air Force One. Judge blocks ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in the state of Texas that awarded GOP more districts. Many of Department of Education's authorities reassigned to other federal departments as part of White House efforts. Large-scale operations move to North Carolina capital, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.