The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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