The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative 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 requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- Trump faces criticism for calling a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement onboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge disallows ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in the state of Texas that awarded Republicans more districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's authorities transferred to other branches as part of administration efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps expand to the state's capital, with representatives confirming ongoing activities.
