The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- Trump receives backlash for referring to a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement aboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge blocks ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in the state of Texas that awarded GOP additional districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s responsibilities transferred to other branches as part of administration efforts.
- Raids move to North Carolina capital, with representatives noting ongoing activities.
