The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage 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 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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- Mass federal immigration sweeps move to the state's capital, with local officials noting ongoing activities.
