The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
Other News Updates
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