The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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