The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming 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 forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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