The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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