The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return 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 individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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