Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R.185) to advance responsible policies.
Sponsored By: Representative Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]
Introduced
Summary
Expanded access and enforcement for victims and states to obtain unredacted Epstein-related records. This bill would let victims and state actors force production of full investigative files and adds penalties for officials who hide, alter, or destroy those records.
Show full summary
- Victims would be able to obtain full, unredacted records and FD-302 files that identify or relate to them. Limited redactions could protect other victims' personal information and victims could seek monetary relief, injunctive relief, costs, and attorney's fees with expedited court handling.
- States and state investigators would be able to sue in federal or state court to get full copies for use in investigations or proceedings. State officers could possess, review, copy, retain, and use those records under protective orders and the bill sets secure procedures for classified materials.
- Department of Justice, FBI, or U.S. attorney personnel who conceal, remove, destroy, alter, withhold, or falsely certify records would face criminal penalties including fines or imprisonment under specified federal statutes.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
State access to federal records
If adopted, the resolution would let State attorneys general, district attorneys, and other authorized state officers receive full, unredacted federal investigative records for state investigations or court cases. Classified parts would be made available for review in secure facilities under court-approved handling rules. The Attorney General would not be able to refuse access on classification grounds, though protective orders or sealed filings could limit public disclosure. Touhy regulations (28 C.F.R. §§16.21–16.29) would not block these requests.
Congressional access and deadlines
If adopted, the resolution would require the Attorney General to give any Member of Congress full, unredacted access to covered records within seven calendar days after a written request. If a Member alleges unlawful withholding or redaction, the Attorney General would have 30 calendar days to fix the problem or provide a written justification. If those deadlines are missed, a Member could sue in federal court for declaratory relief, injunction, mandamus, costs, and attorney's fees.
Victim access and legal remedies
If adopted, the resolution would let qualifying victims request full, unredacted investigative records that identify or relate to them, including FD-302 files. The government could narrowly redact other victims' personal or medical details, but a requesting victim would get records about them. Victims and States could sue the Attorney General for unlawful withholding, redaction, delay, or failure to produce records. Courts would be required to advance and expedite these cases and could award injunctions, money, costs, and attorney fees.
Who counts as victim and network
If adopted, the resolution would define who is part of the 'criminal network' tied to Epstein or Maxwell. It would include people or groups who knowingly helped, funded, hid, profited from, or otherwise enabled listed crimes like sex trafficking, money laundering, bribery, or racketeering. The resolution would also define who counts as a 'victim' for access and enforcement: people identified by DOJ/FBI/USAO/courts, linked to FD-302 or similar files, or those who submit a sworn affidavit. It would exclude people whose claims arise from their own participation unless that participation resulted from being trafficked or abused.
Penalties for DOJ staff misconduct
If adopted, the resolution would make DOJ, FBI, and U.S. Attorney personnel potentially criminally liable for knowingly concealing, removing, destroying, falsifying, withholding, or materially misrepresenting records covered by the Act. It would apply penalties under 18 U.S.C. §§1001, 1505, 1519, and 2071 when the statutes' required intent is proved. The resolution would also treat congressional proceedings about compliance as covered proceedings for obstruction purposes.
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. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Sponsored 9/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov