The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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