The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return 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. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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