The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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