The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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