The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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