The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
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 voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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