The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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