The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval 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. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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