The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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