The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
Other News Updates
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- A significant number of US education agency’s authorities reassigned to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Large-scale operations expand to the state's capital, with representatives confirming ongoing activities.
