The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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