The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
Other News Updates
- The president faces criticism for labeling a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement aboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge blocks ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that awarded Republicans additional districts.
- Many of Department of Education's responsibilities reassigned to other branches as part of White House efforts.
- Large-scale operations expand to the state's capital, with authorities reporting ongoing activities.
