The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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