The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented 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.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
Other News Updates
- Trump is under fire for calling a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement onboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge blocks ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that awarded GOP extra districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's powers moved to other branches as part of White House efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps move to North Carolina capital, with authorities reporting ongoing activities.
