The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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