The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
Other News Updates
- Trump receives backlash for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation onboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge rejects ‘discriminatory’ maps in Texas that gave GOP more districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s authorities transferred to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps expand to the state's capital, with representatives noting ongoing activities.
