The new bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act II (H.R.9694)
Help expose Epstein’s trafficking network
- Wed, Sep 16 2026 at 8:37 AM
Dear Mark,
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is withholding more than 3 million records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein—including files that a state attorney general says are critical to complete an ongoing criminal investigation.[1] Lawmakers say the DOJ is breaking the law by keeping them hidden.Meanwhile, the people the DOJ should have protected were exposed.[2] Survivors’ names, addresses and intimate details of their abuse—including information identifying minors—were released, putting their privacy and safety at risk.
Now Congress has a chance to take control of the Epstein files away from the DOJ—and help survivors find justice.
The new bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act II (H.R.9694) would allow survivors and state prosecutors to sue the Attorney General when Epstein records are unlawfully withheld or redacted.[3]
DOJ and FBI officials who knowingly conceal, destroy, falsify or withhold Epstein records could face federal criminal penalties.
But House leadership still hasn’t scheduled H.R. 9694 for a vote. So a bipartisan group of lawmakers launched a discharge petition to force a vote. They need 218 representatives to sign—and 106 signed on within days.[4]
Now the Speaker has cut short the time they had to build support, canceling the final two voting weeks of September ahead of midterm elections.
House leadership may be making it harder to move this bill—but they don’t get the final say. Here's where we come in: We can build public pressure on more representatives to join the push and get to 218.
Survivors have been waiting for justice for almost two decades.
By 2007, federal prosecutor Marie Villafaña had spent nearly a year building an 82-page case against Epstein. She told her bosses Epstein was a danger to children and recommended 60 charges, including sex trafficking of minors. Instead, her supervisors cut a secret deal with Epstein, agreeing not to prosecute him or his co-conspirators federally.[5]
While serving his 13-month sentence at a Florida county jail, Epstein was chauffeured to a private office on "work release" where he spent 12 hours a day, 6 days a week and allegedly continued sexually abusing girls.[6]
Epstein continued to evade accountability for another decade. He wasn't federally charged with sex trafficking until 2019—and died before he could stand trial.
Survivors are adamant that his trafficking operation was extensive. Hundreds of underage girls were exploited across Epstein’s properties in New York, Florida and elsewhere, with trafficking allegations stretching from the US Virgin Islands to the UK.
The crucial question is how he was able to get away with it for decades. And the answer is: thanks to powerful friends and institutions.[7] Banks looked the other way when his suspicious transactions were flagged, powerful associates opened doors for him, and people around him allegedly continued helping him recruit young women and girls for abuse.
Only one other person has ever been charged. How many people who participated in or facilitated Epstein’s trafficking operation have never faced consequences?
Survivors have waited long enough for institutions to do the right thing voluntarily. Now Congress can give them the power to demand it.
Public pressure can help move this bill through Congress. When thousands of us take action together, lawmakers see that demands for transparency and justice aren’t going away.
The more signatures we gather, the harder we are to ignore. Let's show them we’re watching.
In solidarity,
Krysta and the team supporting the Freedom United community.
P.S. If you live in the US, find out if your representative has signed Discharge Petition No. 27. If not, demand that they do—every signature between now and September 17 brings this closer to a vote.
Krysta Bisnauth
Advocacy Manager, Freedom United[1] https://www.freedomunited.org/news/new-mexico-sues-doj/
[2] https://www.freedomunited.org/news/epstein-files-released-survivors-pay-price/
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/03/epstein-files-transparency-act
[7] https://www.freedomunited.org/news/banks-protecting-jeffrey-epstein/
Modern slavery is increasing, and too often powerful companies and governments fail to act with the urgency needed to protect people. That's why independent advocacy like Freedom United's is so vital. If you're able, please consider or becoming a monthly donor to help keep this work going.
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