The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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