🔗 Share this article Senate Greenlights Bill to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Records The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House. Swift Approval in Congress The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally. “The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.” Presidential Signature The bill next goes to the president for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation. Though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk. Response Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation. Other News Updates The president receives backlash for labeling a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a confrontation onboard Air Force One. Judge disallows ‘discriminatory’ maps in Texas that awarded GOP more districts. A significant number of US education agency’s authorities transferred to other branches as part of administration efforts. Raids move to the state's capital, with representatives reporting ongoing activities.