The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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