The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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