The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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