The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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