The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to the president for his endorsement. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, 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 present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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