The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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