The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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