Congress Greenlights Bill to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
- The president faces criticism for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation onboard Air Force One.
- Federal judge blocks ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that gave Republicans more districts.
- A significant number of Department of Education's authorities moved to other federal departments as part of White House efforts.
- Large-scale operations expand to North Carolina capital, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.
