The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
- Trump faces criticism for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a clash aboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge rejects ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in the state of Texas that gave GOP extra districts.
- Many of US education agency’s authorities moved to different agencies as part of White House efforts.
- Mass federal immigration sweeps extend to Raleigh, with authorities reporting ongoing activities.
