The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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