The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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