The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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