The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift 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 scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- Trump is under fire for labeling a correspondent as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement onboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge disallows ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that awarded GOP more districts.
- Many of US education agency’s authorities transferred to other federal departments as part of White House efforts.
- Raids move to Raleigh, with local officials reporting ongoing activities.
