The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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