The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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