The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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