S.Amdt. 3844

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Merkley, aims to add a section to the bill focused on Epstein Files Transparency. Its purpose is to require the Attorney General to make unclassified records and investigative materials related to Jeffrey Epstein publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format.

What the Amendment Aims to Change or Add

The amendment adds a requirement for the Attorney General to release documents within 30 days of the Act's enactment. These materials include:

• Records and communications from the Department of Justice, the FBI, and United States Attorney's Offices.
• Materials regarding Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including investigations, prosecutions, and custodial matters.
• Travel records, flight logs, and manifests for vehicles or aircraft used by Epstein or related entities.
• Information on individuals, including government officials, named in connection with Epstein's criminal activities, settlements, or proceedings.
• Data on corporate, governmental, academic, or nonprofit entities with ties to Epstein's financial or trafficking networks.
• Details on plea bargains, immunity deals, and sealed settlements.
• Internal DOJ communications regarding decisions to charge or investigate Epstein and his associates.
• Records concerning the concealment, deletion, or alteration of data, as well as documentation regarding Epstein's detention and death.

The amendment explicitly states that the Attorney General cannot withhold or redact information based on political sensitivity, reputational harm, or embarrassment to any public figure, government official, or foreign dignitary.

Certain withholdings are permitted, such as child pornography, personally identifiable information of child witnesses or victims, and information that would jeopardize an active investigation. The Attorney General must provide written justification to Congress and the Federal Register for these redactions.

Finally, the amendment requires the Attorney General to submit a report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees listing the materials released, the legal basis for redactions, and a list of all government officials, foreign dignitaries, or public figures named in the unredacted records.