The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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