The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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