The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
Other Headlines
- The president faces criticism for referring to a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a clash aboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge rejects ‘discriminatory’ maps in Texas that awarded GOP additional districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's authorities transferred to other branches as part of White House efforts.
- Raids expand to North Carolina capital, with local officials confirming ongoing activities.
