The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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