The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- Trump faces criticism for labeling a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation aboard Air Force One.
- Judge rejects ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that allocated GOP extra districts.
- Many of Department of Education's authorities transferred to different agencies as part of White House efforts.
- Large-scale operations expand to North Carolina capital, with authorities confirming ongoing activities.
