The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry 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 give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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