The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- The president is under fire for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter 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 branches as part of White House efforts.
- Large-scale operations move to the state's capital, with local officials noting ongoing activities.
