The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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