The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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