The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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