Bill · H.R. 239· House(119-HR-239)
JFK Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/7/2025
- Last activity
- 1/7/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- David Schweikert
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Justice for Kennedy Act of 2025" directs certain Federal officials to publicly disclose all assassination records and information related to President John F. Kennedy. This disclosure must be done in an unclassified and unredacted form within 30 days of the Act's enactment. The bill instructs the Attorney General to petition courts to release records held under seal or grand jury secrecy. These requirements are intended to apply regardless of existing presidential memorandums or other conflicting laws. The directive covers several high-ranking officials including the Archivist of the United States and the Director of the CIA.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+10
The bill mandates the public disclosure of all unredacted and unclassified assassination records related to President Kennedy.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+2
The bill facilitates the legal process for unsealing records by deeming a petition a showing of particularized need.
The opposite
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-3
The bill prioritizes public disclosure over existing secrecy protections and legal exemptions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Full Transparency of Records: Under Section 2(a)(1), covered Federal officials are required to publicly disclose any assassination record and information relevant to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in an unclassified and unredacted form. This ensures that the public receives the complete information held by the government.
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Access to Sealed Information: Under Section 2(b)(1)(A), the Attorney General is directed to petition courts to disclose records that are currently held under seal or under the injunction of secrecy of a grand jury. This provides a path for information that is currently hidden from the public view to be released.
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Legal Standing for Disclosure: Under Section 2(b)(1)(B), a request for disclosure is deemed to constitute a showing of particularized need under Rule 6 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which helps facilitate the petition process for releasing records.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+10Improves Due Process+2Improves Privacy Rights-3
- 1/7/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House