The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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