The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
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- Federal judge disallows ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that allocated GOP more districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s authorities reassigned to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps extend to Raleigh, with local officials noting ongoing activities.
