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The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.

Swift Passage in Congress

The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.

Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”

Presidential Signature

This legislation next heads to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.

Even though Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.

Support and Opposition

The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.

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