The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- Trump is under fire for calling a correspondent as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation onboard Air Force One.
- Judge rejects ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that awarded Republicans extra districts.
- Many of Department of Education's powers transferred to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Large-scale operations move to Raleigh, with local officials reporting ongoing activities.
