The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives 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 plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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