The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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