A coalition of 17 state attorneys general, led by Nevada's Aaron D. Ford, is urging Congress to pass legislation strengthening transparency requirements for releasing records related to Jeffrey Epstein. Under a law enacted in November 2025, the Department of Justice was required to publicly release the records by December 19, 2025, but the DOJ failed to meet that deadline.
According to the coalition, the department has withheld millions of records and improperly disclosed identifying information of victims. The proposed Epstein Files Transparency Act II (H.R. 9694/S. 5005) would allow state attorneys general, survivors, and members of Congress to challenge unlawful withholding in federal court, guarantee survivors access to unredacted records concerning themselves, and prevent the DOJ from using legal privileges to avoid disclosure.
"Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's horrific crimes deserve justice, transparency and accountability, not more delays and unanswered questions," Ford said.
The coalition includes attorneys general from Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and North Carolina. The new legislation would also establish penalties for officials who knowingly conceal, destroy, or improperly withhold required records.