The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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