The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional Stories
- The president faces criticism for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation aboard Air Force One.
- Judge disallows ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that allocated GOP additional districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's authorities transferred to other branches as part of White House efforts.
- Raids expand to the state's capital, with authorities reporting ongoing activities.
