The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved 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 House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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