The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
Other News Updates
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- Many of Department of Education's authorities transferred to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Large-scale operations move to the state's capital, with authorities confirming ongoing activities.
