The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to the president for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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