The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance 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 near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public specific data of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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