The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position 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 scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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