The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of official records concerning the late 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 White House gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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