The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal 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 does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
Other News Updates
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- A significant number of Department of Education's responsibilities reassigned to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
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