The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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