Epstein Files Transparency Act
Signed into law Nov 19, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement
What this law does
- Requires the Justice Department to publish, in searchable form, all unclassified records about its investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.
- Includes records about Ghislaine Maxwell, flight logs and travel records, and people named in the case, including government officials.
- Allows the department to hold back some information, such as victims' personal details and material that would harm an active federal investigation.
- Requires a report to Congress within 15 days listing what was released and withheld, the redactions made, and officials named in the records.
Plain-language list by Voting On, based only on the official summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service and the bill's titles. Read the official summary.
How it became law
- IntroducedJul 15, 2025 · House
- 126 daysPassed HouseNov 18, 2025
- 1 dayPassed SenateNov 19, 2025
- Same dayPresented to the PresidentNov 19, 2025
- Same daySigned into lawNov 19, 2025
Official summary
Epstein Files Transparency Act
This act requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to publish (in a searchable and downloadable format) all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in DOJ's possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.
This includes (1) materials that relate to Ghislaine Maxwell, (2) flight logs and travel records, and (3) individuals named or referenced (including government officials) in connection with the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.
DOJ is permitted to withhold certain information such as the personal information of victims and materials that would jeopardize an active federal investigation.
Additionally, not later than 15 days after the required publication, DOJ must report to Congress (1) all categories of information released and withheld, (2) a summary of any redactions made, and (3) a list of all government officials and politically exposed individuals named or referenced in the published materials.
Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Nov 19, 2025).
Who wrote it
Sponsor: Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
24 cosponsors: 1 Republicans, 23 Democrats. 1 signed on the day it was introduced, 23 joined later.
Show all cosponsors
| Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|
| Rep. Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4] | Jul 15, 2025 | Original cosponsor |
| Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9] | Jul 16, 2025 | |
| Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] | Jul 16, 2025 | |
| Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3] | Jul 17, 2025 | |
| Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] | Jul 17, 2025 | |
| Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] | Jul 17, 2025 | |
| Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] | Jul 17, 2025 | |
| Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] | Jul 17, 2025 | |
| Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32] | Jul 17, 2025 | |
| Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1] | Jul 21, 2025 | |
| Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2] | Jul 21, 2025 | |
| Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11] | Jul 22, 2025 | |
| Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17] | Jul 22, 2025 | |
| Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] | Jul 22, 2025 | |
| Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] | Jul 23, 2025 | |
| Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7] | Jul 23, 2025 | |
| Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] | Jul 23, 2025 | |
| Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] | Jul 23, 2025 | |
| Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] | Jul 29, 2025 | |
| Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2] | Jul 29, 2025 | |
| Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2] | Aug 8, 2025 | |
| Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3] | Aug 22, 2025 | |
| Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42] | Aug 22, 2025 | |
| Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9] | Oct 24, 2025 |
Recorded votes
| Date | Chamber | Vote | Yeas | Nays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18, 2025 | House | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 427 - 1 (Roll no. 289). | 427 | 1 |
What was added
Amendments adopted (0)
No floor amendments were adopted. Any changes were made in committee or in a later version of the bill.
Sections in the final law that were not in the first version (Introduced in House) (0)
None. Every section heading in the final law was already in the first version (Introduced in House).
What was removed
Sections in the first version (Introduced in House) that did not make it into the law (0)
None. Every section heading from the first version (Introduced in House) remains in the law.
Compared by section heading between the Introduced in House text (Jul 15, 2025) and the Enrolled Bill text, both from GovInfo. Wording changes inside a section that kept its heading are not shown here; see the amendments and the text versions.
Proposed but not adopted
No amendments were voted down or withdrawn.
Full action history
Show all 18 official actions
| Nov 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. |
| Nov 19, 2025 | 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) |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Message on Senate action sent to the House. |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Presented to President. |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Presented to President. |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Signed by President. |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Signed by President. |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Became Public Law No: 119-38. |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Became Public Law No: 119-38. |
| Nov 18, 2025 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 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) |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 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) |
| Nov 18, 2025 | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4405. |
| Nov 18, 2025 | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4725-4733) |
| Nov 18, 2025 | Mr. Jordan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. |
| Jul 15, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| Jul 15, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| Jul 15, 2025 | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. |
Sources: Congress.gov (bill record, sponsors, actions, amendments, CRS summary) and GovInfo (official text). Days are calendar days.