The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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