The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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