The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- The president is under fire for calling a correspondent as ‘piggy’ during a clash onboard Air Force One.
- Judge rejects ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that awarded Republicans additional districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's responsibilities transferred to other federal departments as part of White House efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps extend to the state's capital, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.
