The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump stated 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 investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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