The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would make public identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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