The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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