Massie, Khanna, and Others Introduce the "Epstein Files Transparency Act II"

Victims and state attorneys general can now sue the U.S. Attorney General to compel the release of unredacted Epstein-related files.

Representatives Thomas Massie, Ro Khanna, Teresa Leger Fernández, Senators Jeff Merkley and Ben Ray Luján have introduced the "Epstein Files Transparency Act II" (H.R. 9694). This new legislation aims to empower state attorneys general, victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, and members of Congress to sue the Department of Justice (DOJ) for failing to comply with disclosure requirements mandated by the original Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), signed into law on November 19, 2025. Lawmakers claim the DOJ has unlawfully withheld over three million Epstein-related files and excessively redacted those it has released. The proposed act would grant a private right of action, allowing these parties to challenge the DOJ in court, secure unredacted records, and enforce compliance with criminal penalties for concealment. It specifically disallows common law privileges from being used to evade disclosure, ensuring greater transparency regarding these sensitive documents.

The introduction of the Epstein Files Transparency Act II signals a significant escalation in legislative efforts to force governmental transparency, particularly concerning sensitive and potentially damaging information. By creating a private right of action, this bill directly challenges the Department of Justice's autonomy in managing and disclosing records, shifting power towards victims and state-level officials. This move suggests a growing impatience with perceived bureaucratic obstruction and a determination to use legal mechanisms to ensure accountability where direct legislative appeals have failed. The inclusion of provisions to override common law privileges indicates a strong legislative intent to prevent future evasions of transparency mandates.

This legislation has direct implications for how investigations into Epstein-related networks will proceed and how governmental bodies will handle disclosure requests for sensitive information moving forward. For victims, it offers a more robust legal pathway to obtain information about their own experiences. For state attorneys general and members of Congress, it provides a potent tool to hold federal agencies accountable for adherence to transparency laws. The potential for DOJ and FBI officials to face criminal penalties for withholding files also raises the stakes for compliance, potentially influencing internal protocols and the handling of classified or sensitive case materials across the government.