The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
Additional Stories
- Trump receives backlash for calling a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a clash aboard Air Force One.
- Judge rejects ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that allocated Republicans more districts.
- Many of Department of Education's powers transferred to different agencies as part of White House efforts.
- Raids move to North Carolina capital, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.
