The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
Other Headlines
- Trump receives backlash for labeling a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation aboard Air Force One.
- Judge rejects ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that awarded Republicans extra districts.
- Many of US education agency’s powers moved to different agencies as part of administration efforts.
- Large-scale operations expand to Raleigh, with local officials confirming ongoing activities.
