The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
- Trump is under fire for calling a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation aboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge disallows ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that allocated GOP additional districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's responsibilities moved to other branches as part of administration efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps move to Raleigh, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.
