The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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