The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
- The president receives backlash for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a clash aboard Air Force One.
- Judge disallows ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in the state of Texas that awarded GOP more districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s powers moved to other branches as part of White House efforts.
- Large-scale operations move to North Carolina capital, with local officials reporting ongoing activities.
