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The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.

Unanimous Passage in Congress

The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.

“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”

Presidential Signature

This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.

Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.

Response

Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.

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