In a significant move towards government transparency, the US Senate has given swift, unanimous approval to legislation that will force the release of long-secret investigative files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Overwhelming Bipartisan Support
The Senate's decision on Tuesday 18th November, which was made by unanimous consent, followed a near-identical show of force in the House of Representatives. Hours earlier, the House had overwhelmingly passed the same bill on a staggering 427-1 tally.
The sole dissenting vote came from Republican Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana, who expressed concerns that the measure could publicly reveal identifying details of witnesses and others involved in the complex investigation.
Democrats in the House, joined by survivors of Epstein's abuse and their advocates who were seated in the gallery, broke into applause following the bill's passage. Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat, captured the moment's sentiment in a floor speech, stating, "The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein's victims have waited long enough. Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign."
Trump's Pivot and the Path Forward
The bipartisan effort faced initial resistance from the administration, but culminated in a notable reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. After months of dismissing the uproar over the government's handling of the Epstein case as a "Democrat hoax", the President signalled his support for the bill over the weekend.
He confirmed he would sign the measure once it reached his desk, a commitment he reiterated on Monday. The bill now proceeds to the White House for his signature, a final step that will unlock the files.
Other Key Developments from Washington
The day was marked by several other major political stories. During a White House visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Trump appeared to shrug off the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, remarking that the columnist was "extremely controversial" and adding, "things happen."
In a separate legal blow to Republican mapping efforts, a federal judge rejected "racially gerrymandered" congressional maps in Texas that would have added five Republican districts. The judge blocked the state from using the maps for the 2025 elections.
President Trump also faced criticism for referring to a female Bloomberg News correspondent as a "piggy" during an onboard clash, reviving concerns about his treatment of female journalists.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration took further steps to dismantle the US Department of Education by reassigning many of its powers to other federal agencies, a move that drew immediate criticism from prominent Democrats.
Federal immigration sweeps expanded to Raleigh, North Carolina, following a weekend where more than 100 people were arrested in Charlotte, prompting a response from the state's Democratic governor.
