The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, 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 top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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