The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed 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 avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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