The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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