The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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