The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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