The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
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