The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- The president receives backlash for referring to a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation onboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge blocks ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in the state of Texas that gave GOP extra districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s powers transferred to other branches as part of administration efforts.
- Raids extend to Raleigh, with local officials confirming ongoing activities.
