The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
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