The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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