The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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