The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block 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 general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
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 House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional Stories
- The president faces criticism for calling a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement onboard Air Force One.
- Judge rejects ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that awarded Republicans extra districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's authorities transferred to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Large-scale operations expand to Raleigh, with authorities reporting ongoing activities.
