Bill · H.R. 4405· House(119-HR-4405)
Epstein Files Transparency Act
- Introduced
- 7/15/2025
- Last activity
- 11/19/2025 — Became Public Law No: 119-38.
- Sponsored by
- Ro Khanna
- Cosponsors
- - 23 - 1
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
What this bill would do
The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires the Attorney General to release all unclassified Department of Justice records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. This includes investigations, travel records, and information regarding individuals or entities tied to Epstein's networks. The Act also mandates the release of documentation regarding Epstein's detention and death. It prohibits withholding information based on the embarrassment or political sensitivity of officials or public figures. While certain personal or sensitive materials can be redacted, the Attorney General is directed to declassify information to the maximum extent possible. Finally, the Attorney General must submit a detailed report to Congress regarding the released and withheld materials.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 427–1
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
11/18/2025 · Roll call 289 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency Regarding Criminal Activities: The bill requires the release of records concerning investigations, prosecutions, and criminal activities involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as any immunity deals or plea bargains (Section 2(a)(1), (6)).
-
Accountability for Government Officials: The Act requires the release of information regarding individuals, including government officials, named in connection with Epstein's activities (Section 2(a)(4)). It specifically prohibits withholding records due to the political sensitivity or embarrassment of any government official (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Public Access to Investigative Details: The bill mandates the release of flight logs, travel records, and documentation concerning Epstein's death, such as autopsy reports and witness interviews (Section 2(a)(3), (9)).
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Protection of Privacy for Victims: The Attorney General is permitted to redact personally identifiable information of victims or their medical files to prevent an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (Section 2(c)(1)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Exposure of Sensitive Imagery: The law allows for the release of records, though it permits the Attorney General to withhold portions that depict images of death, physical abuse, or injury (Section 2(c)(1)(D)).
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Potential Risk to Active Investigations: The bill allows for the withholding of information that would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution (Section 2(c)(1)(C)).
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National Security Considerations: The Attorney General may withhold information that is properly classified in the interest of national defense or foreign policy (Section 2(c)(1)(E)).
- Public Law(11/20/2025)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
Arrived from the other chamber; nothing has been done to it there yet
- 11/19/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed, under the order of 11/18/2025, without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed, under the order of 11/18/2025, without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8211)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Presented to President.
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-38.
- 11/18/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 427 - 1 (Roll no. 289). (text: CR H4725)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 427 - 1 (Roll no. 289). (text: CR H4725)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4405.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4725-4733)
- Mr. Jordan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 10/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/22/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/23/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 7/22/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/21/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/17/2025
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 7/16/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HRES-581: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 185) to advance responsible policies.
- 119-HRES-879: Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 80) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 130) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 131) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 58) denouncing the horrors of socialism; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1949) to repeal restrictions on the export and import of natural gas; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3109) to require the Secretary of Energy to direct the National Petroleum Council to issue a report with respect to petrochemical refineries in the United States, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5107) to repeal the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 enacted by the District of Columbia Council; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5214) to require mandatory pretrial and post conviction detention for crimes of violence and dangerous crimes and require mandatory cash bail for certain offenses that pose a threat to public safety or order in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Wesley BellDemocrat · Missouri
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Maxine DexterDemocrat · Oregon
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
Thomas MassieRepublican · Kentucky
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Johnny OlszewskiDemocrat · Maryland
Nancy PelosiDemocrat · California
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Mary Gay ScanlonDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan