The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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