The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional Stories
- The president receives backlash for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a clash aboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge disallows ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that awarded Republicans extra districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s powers moved to other branches as part of White House efforts.
- Large-scale operations expand to North Carolina capital, with authorities noting ongoing activities.
