The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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