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The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.

Unanimous Approval in Congress

The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.

Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”

Presidential Signature

The bill next will be sent to Trump for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.

Although the president has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.

Reaction

Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.

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