The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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