The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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