The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to the president for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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