The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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