The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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