The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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