The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would reveal specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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