The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to the president for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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