The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
- The president receives backlash for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a clash onboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge blocks ‘discriminatory’ maps in Texas that awarded Republicans extra districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s powers transferred to different agencies as part of White House efforts.
- Raids move to the state's capital, with authorities confirming ongoing activities.
