The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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