The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed 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 does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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