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 almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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