The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional Stories
- Trump receives backlash for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement onboard Air Force One.
- Judge rejects ‘discriminatory’ maps in Texas that awarded Republicans more districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's responsibilities reassigned to different agencies as part of administration efforts.
- Raids extend to the state's capital, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.
