The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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