The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to the president for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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