The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional Stories
- Trump is under fire for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation aboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge rejects ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in the state of Texas that gave GOP extra districts.
- Many of Department of Education's responsibilities transferred to different agencies as part of administration efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps expand to Raleigh, with authorities confirming ongoing activities.
