The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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