The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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