The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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