Epstein Files Transparency Act II
Sponsored By: Representative Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]
Introduced
Summary
Gives victims and States new legal power to obtain full, unredacted Epstein-related records. This bill would let victims and state attorneys general sue to force release, seek damages and fees, and impose penalties on federal personnel who withhold or falsify records.
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- Victims would be able to sue for full, unredacted records that identify or relate to them, including FD-302 files. Courts would be required to advance these cases and could award injunctive relief, monetary relief, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees.
- State attorneys general and other authorized State officers could bring actions on behalf of the State or its residents and could receive classified materials in secure facilities for investigations or prosecutions under protective procedures. A Member of Congress could obtain unredacted records within seven calendar days and seek remedies within 30 calendar days for unlawful withholding or redaction.
- The bill would strip 28 CFR 16.21-16.29 from applying to requests under this law and make the Act the exclusive procedural framework for State access to covered records while preserving other legal remedies. It would also attach criminal penalties to DOJ, FBI, or U.S. Attorney personnel who conceal, destroy, falsify, or materially misrepresent covered records under existing obstruction and records statutes.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Victim and State Access Rights
If enacted, victims could request full unredacted records that identify or relate to them, including FD-302 files. Records that identify other victims could only be redacted to protect their personal or medical information, and each redaction would need a written justification. State attorneys general and other authorized State officers would be able to get unredacted copies for investigations and court cases and could possess, copy, retain, and use those records under court protective orders. The bill would apply to investigations pending at enactment and would stop DOJ from using Touhy rules (28 C.F.R. §§ 16.21–16.29) to refuse, delay, or condition production.
Who Counts as a Victim
If enacted, the bill would define who counts as a victim for these records. You would count as a victim if DOJ, the FBI, a U.S. attorney, or a federal court identified you, your case appears in an FD-302 or related file, or you file a sworn declaration. People who only benefited or profited from the crimes would be excluded unless they were trafficked or directly harmed. For standing, financial harm over $100 or harms like investigative harm, harassment, or inability to corroborate reports would be enough to sue. These definitions would take effect upon enactment.
Criminal Penalties for Record Tampering
If enacted, DOJ, FBI, and U.S. Attorney personnel who hide, destroy, falsify, or lie about covered records could face criminal penalties under statutes like 18 U.S.C. 1001, 1505, 1519, and 2071. Prosecutions would still require proving the statutes' mens rea (guilty mental state) elements. The bill would treat related congressional proceedings and agency records as falling within those statutes for these purposes. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Faster Congressional Access to Records
If enacted, any Member of Congress could request full unredacted records and would receive them within 7 calendar days. If a Member gives written notice alleging unlawful withholding or redaction, the Attorney General would have 30 calendar days to fix the problem or provide a written justification. After those deadlines, a Member could sue in federal court and seek declaratory relief, injunctions, mandamus, and attorney's fees. These rules would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]
KY • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
AZ • D
Sponsored 7/16/2026
Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
SC • R
Sponsored 9/1/2026
Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]
MO • D
Sponsored 9/2/2026
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Sponsored 9/2/2026
Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
TX • D
Sponsored 9/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov