The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
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The bill next will be sent to Trump for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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