The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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