The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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