The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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