The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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