The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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