The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
Other News Updates
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- Raids extend to the state's capital, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.
