The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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