The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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