The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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