The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
- The president is under fire for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation onboard Air Force One.
- Judge disallows ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that gave Republicans more districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s authorities transferred to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Raids extend to North Carolina capital, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.
