The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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