The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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