The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded 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 voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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