The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional Stories
- Trump faces criticism for referring to a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation aboard Air Force One.
- Judge disallows ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that allocated GOP more districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's powers reassigned to different agencies as part of White House efforts.
- Raids extend to Raleigh, with authorities confirming ongoing activities.
