The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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