The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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