The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
- The president receives backlash for referring to a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation aboard Air Force One.
- Judge disallows ‘racially gerrymandered’ maps in Texas that awarded GOP additional districts.
- A significant number of US education agency’s powers reassigned to different agencies as part of administration efforts.
- Raids extend to Raleigh, with authorities noting ongoing activities.
