The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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