The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval 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 near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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