The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, 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 near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to the president for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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