The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
Other News Updates
- The president receives backlash for labeling a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation aboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge blocks ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that awarded GOP more districts.
- Many of Department of Education's powers reassigned to other federal departments as part of White House efforts.
- Raids extend to Raleigh, with local officials noting ongoing activities.
