The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, 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 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to the president for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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