The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public 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 urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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