The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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