The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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