The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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