The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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