The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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