The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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