The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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