The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has plagued 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, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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