The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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