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. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited 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 voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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