The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
- The president is under fire for calling a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement onboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge rejects ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in the state of Texas that allocated GOP more districts.
- Many of Department of Education's authorities transferred to other branches as part of White House efforts.
- Raids move to North Carolina capital, with local officials confirming ongoing activities.
