The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost 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 forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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