The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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