The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected 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 comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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