The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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