The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled 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 “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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