The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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