The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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