The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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