The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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