The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback 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 individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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