The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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