The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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