The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
- The president receives backlash for calling a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a clash aboard Air Force One.
- Judge disallows ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that awarded GOP more districts.
- Many of Department of Education's responsibilities moved to other federal departments as part of White House efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps move to Raleigh, with authorities reporting ongoing activities.
