The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
Other News Updates
- The president is under fire for referring to a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation onboard Air Force One.
- Judge disallows ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that allocated GOP more districts.
- Many of Department of Education's authorities moved to other branches as part of White House efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps extend to North Carolina capital, with authorities noting ongoing activities.
