The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids 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. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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