The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- The president faces criticism for calling a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement onboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge disallows ‘discriminatory’ maps in Texas that awarded Republicans additional districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s responsibilities reassigned to other federal departments as part of White House efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps move to Raleigh, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.
