The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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