The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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