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The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months 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

Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.

Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”

Presidential Signature

The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.

Even though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.

Support and Opposition

Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.

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