The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
Other News Updates
- Trump receives backlash for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation aboard Air Force One.
- Judge blocks ‘discriminatory’ maps in Texas that awarded GOP extra districts.
- Many of US education agency’s authorities transferred to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps move to Raleigh, with local officials reporting ongoing activities.
