The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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