The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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