The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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