The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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