The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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