Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie has identified 14 individuals he believes warrant investigation for their connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking on the House floor, Massie introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act II to compel the Department of Justice to release millions of withheld documents .
The legislative gap left by the first Epstein Files Transparency Act
The Epstein Files Transparency Act II is a direct follow-up to the original legislation spearheaded by Massie and California Democrat Ro Khanna. while the first act, signed into law by President Donald Trump, compelled the Department of Justice to release certain files, Massie argues that the process remains incomplete. Massie stated that the government continues to withhold over three million files that could provide necessary closure for survivors and evidence for prosecutors.
This legislative effort represents a bipartisan attempt to pierce the veil of government secrecy surrounding one of the most notorious sex trafficking cases in modern history. by pushing for this second act, Massie aims to move beyond mere disclosure and toward active accountability for those who may have been involved in Epstein's network.
High-profile targets including Jes Staley and Leon Black
The list of 14 individuals named by Massie includes prominent figures such as former JP Morgan executive Jes Staley and Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black. According to the report, Staley has faced scrutiny over his professional ties to Epstein, and while he admitted to having consensual sex with a member of Epstein's staff, he has denied knowledge of any crimes. Notably, Britain's financial regulator banned Staley from senior financial roles in the United Kingdom after finding he had been misleading about the nature of his relationship with the late sex offender.
Leon Black, who stepped down from his role at Apollo Global Management in 2021,was also a central figure in the discussion. As the report highlights, Black told lawmakers during closed-door testimony earlier this year that he was unaware of Epstein's nefarious activities until 2019 and denied ever paying for illegal access to women. Other names on Massie's list include retail mogul Les Wexner, who has denied claims by victim Virginia Giuffre, and entertainer David Copperfield.
The 218-signature battle for a House discharge petition
To bypass potential House leadership opposition, Massie is working to collect 218 signatures for a discharge petition. This maneuver would force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which aims to grant state attorneys general access to files necessary for local prosecutions. This is a significant push for accountability, especially as Massie prepares to leave Congress in January after being ousted by a primary challenger.
The proposed legislation also seeks to lower the barriers for survivors attempting to sue for access to their own records. By making it easier for victims to obtain their files, the bill attempts to address the long-standing frustration of those impacted by Epstein's network and provides a potential legal pathway for justice at the state level.
What remains hidden in the DOJ's three million withheld files?
Several critical questions remain unanswered as this legislative battle begins. The Department of Justice has not provided a specific justification for why three million files remain withheld, leaving a massive gap in the public record. Additionally, while Massie has named 14 specific individuals, the source does not confirm whether any active criminal investigations are currently targeting these parties based on these specific claims.
It also remains unclear if Massie can successfully secure the necessary 218 signatures to force a vote before his term concludes. Without the successful deployment of the discharge petiion, the Epstein Files Transparency Act II may stall in committee, leaving the contents of the withheld files a mystery to the public and survivors alike.
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