The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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