The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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