The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months 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 Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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