The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
Additional Headlines
- The president faces criticism for referring to a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a clash onboard Air Force One.
- Judge rejects ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that gave Republicans extra districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's powers transferred to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Raids move to the state's capital, with authorities confirming ongoing activities.
