The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, 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 near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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