The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-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 forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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