# OPEN LETTER: H.R. 9694 Wants a Court Route for Epstein Files Still Withheld - Author: Maxime Marquette - Publisher: MadMax (https://mad-max.co) - Section: Open letter - Published: 2026-08-10 - Canonical URL: https://mad-max.co/en/article/open-letter-h-r-9694-wants-a-court-route-for-epstein-files-still-withheld ## Introduction On **5 August 2026**, Representatives **Ro Khanna** and **Thomas Massie** announced **H.R. 9694**, the Epstein Files Transparency Act II. The proposal would let defined plaintiffs challenge alleged DOJ noncompliance with disclosure duties. *Transparency without an enforceable route is still a promise looking for a court.* The bill is not law. Its sponsors’ claim that DOJ is withholding **more than 3 million files** is also not a judicial finding. An open letter must be direct about both facts: a proposed remedy exists, and the remedy does not yet exist in law. ## H.R. 9694 tries to create a route to court ### The bill has a number At this point, **H.R. 9694, the Epstein Files Transparency Act II** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie announced the measure on 5 August 2026. The point establishes **The bill has a number**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The bill has a number has a practical consequence for **the identification of the proposed remedy**. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie announced the measure on 5 August 2026. Yet **a law already in force** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### The target is alleged noncompliance In the dated record, **a challenge to DOJ compliance with disclosure duties** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. The bill would focus on whether the Department of Justice complied with obligations in the 2025 law. The point establishes **The target is alleged noncompliance**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The target is alleged noncompliance has a practical consequence for **the legal question the proposal raises**. The bill would focus on whether the Department of Justice complied with obligations in the 2025 law. Yet **a judicial finding of noncompliance** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *H.R. 9694 tries to create a route to court does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## State attorneys general would be potential challengers ### The text names state attorneys general At this point, **state attorneys general as possible plaintiffs** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. That category would broaden who could seek judicial review if the bill becomes law. The point establishes **The text names state attorneys general**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The text names state attorneys general has a practical consequence for **the proposed standing for states**. That category would broaden who could seek judicial review if the bill becomes law. Yet **standing that already exists under this bill** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### Standing is still conditional In the dated record, **the bill’s unpassed status** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. A listed potential plaintiff does not receive a new court route until both chambers act and the measure becomes law. The point establishes **Standing is still conditional**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. Standing is still conditional has a practical consequence for **the gap between proposal and remedy**. A listed potential plaintiff does not receive a new court route until both chambers act and the measure becomes law. Yet **an immediate lawsuit under H.R. 9694** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *State attorneys general would be potential challengers does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## Victims are included in the proposed standing ### Victims are named in the bill’s design At this point, **victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. The proposal would identify them among people who could contest asserted DOJ noncompliance. The point establishes **Victims are named in the bill’s design**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. Victims are named in the bill’s design has a practical consequence for **the attempt to make disclosure enforceable**. The proposal would identify them among people who could contest asserted DOJ noncompliance. Yet **an outcome for any individual case** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### The proposal is not an individual ruling In the dated record, **the absence of a court decision** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. No judge has supplied the result that the sponsors seek because the bill had not been enacted in the record. The point establishes **The proposal is not an individual ruling**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The proposal is not an individual ruling has a practical consequence for **the present legal status**. No judge has supplied the result that the sponsors seek because the bill had not been enacted in the record. Yet **a guaranteed disclosure** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *Victims are included in the proposed standing does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## Members of Congress would also be named ### Legislators are potential challengers At this point, **members of Congress in the proposed standing provision** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. The design reaches beyond executive enforcement and survivors to include a congressional route to court. The point establishes **Legislators are potential challengers**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. Legislators are potential challengers has a practical consequence for **the institutional reach of the proposal**. The design reaches beyond executive enforcement and survivors to include a congressional route to court. Yet **a replacement for oversight hearings** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### Oversight and litigation remain different In the dated record, **the House oversight process** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. A future lawsuit would not erase the separate work of a committee collecting testimony and documents. The point establishes **Oversight and litigation remain different**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. Oversight and litigation remain different has a practical consequence for **the difference between two accountability tools**. A future lawsuit would not erase the separate work of a committee collecting testimony and documents. Yet **a completed judicial process** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *Members of Congress would also be named does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## Three million files are a sponsor claim ### The sponsors alleged a withheld volume At this point, **more than 3 million Epstein files allegedly retained by DOJ** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. The figure comes from the bill’s backers, not from a judicial finding cited in the assigned record. The point establishes **The sponsors alleged a withheld volume**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The sponsors alleged a withheld volume has a practical consequence for **the scale claimed by the sponsors**. The figure comes from the bill’s backers, not from a judicial finding cited in the assigned record. Yet **an established file count** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### The number needs its source attached In the dated record, **the sponsors’ allegation** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. Repeating a large number without its speaker would manufacture certainty the dossier does not provide. The point establishes **The number needs its source attached**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The number needs its source attached has a practical consequence for **how readers should evaluate the volume claim**. Repeating a large number without its speaker would manufacture certainty the dossier does not provide. Yet **independent confirmation** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *Three million files are a sponsor claim does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## The 2025 law is the proposed lever ### The earlier statute is identified At this point, **Public Law 119-38** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. H.R. 9694 is framed as an attempt to enforce disclosure obligations attributed to the original 2025 transparency law. The point establishes **The earlier statute is identified**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The earlier statute is identified has a practical consequence for **the legal foundation of the new proposal**. H.R. 9694 is framed as an attempt to enforce disclosure obligations attributed to the original 2025 transparency law. Yet **proof that every disputed record must be released** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### A new bill admits a claimed gap In the dated record, **the alleged failure to comply with the 2025 law** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. Its premise is that existing duties need a clearer enforcement route; that premise awaits legislative and judicial testing. The point establishes **A new bill admits a claimed gap**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. A new bill admits a claimed gap has a practical consequence for **why the sponsors drafted EFTA II**. Its premise is that existing duties need a clearer enforcement route; that premise awaits legislative and judicial testing. Yet **a settled interpretation of the earlier statute** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *The 2025 law is the proposed lever does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## The House had not voted ### The measure was introduced At this point, **the 5 August 2026 filing of H.R. 9694** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. Introduction starts a legislative path. It does not end one. The point establishes **The measure was introduced**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The measure was introduced has a practical consequence for **the bill’s procedural position**. Introduction starts a legislative path. It does not end one. Yet **House passage** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### The Senate had not voted either In the dated record, **the absence of Senate enactment** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. Merkley and Ben Ray Luján were named as Senate carriers, but the record does not show an enacted companion measure. The point establishes **The Senate had not voted either**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The Senate had not voted either has a practical consequence for **the full federal hurdle ahead**. Merkley and Ben Ray Luján were named as Senate carriers, but the record does not show an enacted companion measure. Yet **a completed congressional act** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *The House had not voted does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## Khanna and Massie made the bipartisanship visible ### The sponsors span parties At this point, **Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. Their joint announcement presents EFTA II as a cross-party attempt to press for disclosure. The point establishes **The sponsors span parties**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The sponsors span parties has a practical consequence for **the political coalition behind the filing**. Their joint announcement presents EFTA II as a cross-party attempt to press for disclosure. Yet **bipartisan agreement on every fact in the files** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### Other names widen the coalition In the dated record, **Teresa Leger Fernández, Jeff Merkley, and Ben Ray Luján** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. The listed co-sponsors locate the initiative in both chambers without changing its unpassed status. The point establishes **Other names widen the coalition**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. Other names widen the coalition has a practical consequence for **the roster supporting the proposal**. The listed co-sponsors locate the initiative in both chambers without changing its unpassed status. Yet **a legislative result** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *Khanna and Massie made the bipartisanship visible does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## Nineteen hearings did not settle disclosure ### The committee held 19 hearings At this point, **19 hearings in one year under James Comer** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. CNN reported that the investigation produced limited new revelations as witnesses often said they could not recall key details. The point establishes **The committee held 19 hearings**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The committee held 19 hearings has a practical consequence for **the limits of the oversight record**. CNN reported that the investigation produced limited new revelations as witnesses often said they could not recall key details. Yet **a full public accounting** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### Memory gaps have consequences In the dated record, **witnesses’ reported inability to recall details** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. When testimony does not supply the missing account, a hearing count cannot be treated as proof that the record is complete. The point establishes **Memory gaps have consequences**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. Memory gaps have consequences has a practical consequence for **the pressure for further process**. When testimony does not supply the missing account, a hearing count cannot be treated as proof that the record is complete. Yet **a final answer from testimony** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *Nineteen hearings did not settle disclosure does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## 128,600 documents add material, not closure ### The estate records were substantial At this point, **about 128,600 additional documents from Epstein’s estate** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. CNN reported that the material included previously unseen bank records. The point establishes **The estate records were substantial**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The estate records were substantial has a practical consequence for **the factual addition to the public record**. CNN reported that the material included previously unseen bank records. Yet **complete disclosure of every relevant file** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### More documents can deepen the question In the dated record, **previously unseen bank records** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. A large release may create leads and context without resolving what remains withheld or what the law requires. The point establishes **More documents can deepen the question**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. More documents can deepen the question has a practical consequence for **the difference between production and completion**. A large release may create leads and context without resolving what remains withheld or what the law requires. Yet **a closed case** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *128,600 documents add material, not closure does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## Comer’s forecast is not DOJ confirmation ### Comer expressed confidence At this point, **James Comer’s statement that the case would reopen soon** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. The committee chair’s remark is an expectation, not a DOJ announcement in the materials consulted. The point establishes **Comer expressed confidence**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. Comer expressed confidence has a practical consequence for **the status of the reopening prediction**. The committee chair’s remark is an expectation, not a DOJ announcement in the materials consulted. Yet **a decision by the Department of Justice** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### The department did not confirm it In the dated record, **no DOJ confirmation of a near reopening** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. Attribution protects the record from turning a political forecast into an official action. The point establishes **The department did not confirm it**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The department did not confirm it has a practical consequence for **the accountability of public statements**. Attribution protects the record from turning a political forecast into an official action. Yet **an institutional commitment** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *Comer’s forecast is not DOJ confirmation does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## The proposal concerns disclosure, not every theory ### The bill’s focus is disclosure compliance At this point, **the proposed challenge to DOJ disclosure duties** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. It seeks a procedural route to contest alleged withholding; it does not certify every allegation that may circulate around the case. The point establishes **The bill’s focus is disclosure compliance**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The bill’s focus is disclosure compliance has a practical consequence for **the proper scope of the remedy**. It seeks a procedural route to contest alleged withholding; it does not certify every allegation that may circulate around the case. Yet **proof of any untested allegation** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### Presumption remains essential In the dated record, **the absence of an individual adjudication in this record** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. A transparency demand does not suspend the requirement to treat unproven assertions as unproven. The point establishes **Presumption remains essential**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. Presumption remains essential has a practical consequence for **the fairness boundary of the debate**. A transparency demand does not suspend the requirement to treat unproven assertions as unproven. Yet **a verdict about named people** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *The proposal concerns disclosure, not every theory does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## The next step is institutional ### The filing opened a debate At this point, **H.R. 9694’s introduction on 5 August** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. The bill’s actual power depends on votes, enactment, and any later judicial application. The point establishes **The filing opened a debate**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The filing opened a debate has a practical consequence for **what must happen before the remedy exists**. The bill’s actual power depends on votes, enactment, and any later judicial application. Yet **a claim of immediate force** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The boundary matters. ### The conclusion is conditional In the dated record, **the unpassed status of EFTA II** is tied to **the bill’s sponsors** and to **H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy**. The proposal may become a tool; at the date of the record, it was a request to make one. The point establishes **The conclusion is conditional**; it does not automatically establish a wider outcome. The conclusion is conditional has a practical consequence for **the difference between aspiration and law**. The proposal may become a tool; at the date of the record, it was a request to make one. Yet **a completed enforcement path** remains decisive for any responsible reading. The record stays narrow. *The next step is institutional does not settle itself in a loud sentence; the bill’s sponsors still has to meet the record it created.* ## Conclusion H.R. 9694 is a proposed answer to a procedural problem: who can go to court when **DOJ disclosure**, in the sponsors’ view, falls short of the **2025 law**. Its significance is real but conditional. Congress must pass it before anyone can use the new route it proposes. *H.R. 9694’s proposed court remedy demands a verdict on the evidence, not a substitute for it.* **By Maxime Marquette, columnist** ## Columnist's transparency note ### Editorial stance I am not a journalist but a **columnist and analyst**. My expertise lies in observing and analysing the geopolitical, economic and strategic dynamics that shape our world. My work is to take political strategies apart, to understand global economic movements, to put the decisions of international actors in context and to offer analytical perspectives on the changes that are redefining our societies. I do not claim the cold objectivity of traditional journalism, which stops at reporting facts. **I claim analytical clarity**, rigorous interpretation and a deep understanding of the complex issues that concern us all. My role is to give meaning to the facts, to place them in their historical and strategic context, and to offer a critical reading of events. ### Method and sources This text keeps the basic distinction between **verified facts and interpretive analysis**. The rule never changes: a factual claim is published only when a verifiable source supports it, and the sources this article actually used are listed under **Sources**, never here. **Primary source families** used by the publication, when the story has them: official statements from governments and international institutions, public statements by political leaders, reports from intergovernmental organisations, dispatches from recognised international news agencies. **Secondary source families**: specialised publications, internationally recognised news media, analyses from established research institutions, reports from industry organisations. When an article cites statistical, economic or geopolitical data, it comes from the institutions that produce it (intergovernmental organisations, central banks, national statistics offices), and the exact institution is named under **Sources**. ### Nature of the analysis The analyses, interpretations and perspectives in the analytical sections of this article are a **critical, contextual synthesis** based on the information available, the trends observed and the expert comments cited in the sources consulted. My role is to interpret these facts, to set them in the context of today's geopolitical and economic dynamics, and to give them a coherent meaning within the larger story of the changes shaping our time. These analyses reflect expertise built through continuous observation of international affairs and an understanding of the strategic mechanisms that drive global actors. This article describes a documented state of affairs on its publication date, not a prediction: later developments may shift its outlook. No update is promised in advance; when an article is corrected or completed, the change is dated in the text. ## Sources ### Primary sources - [Khanna House — EFTA II introduction — 5 August 2026](https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/khanna-massie-leger-fernandez-merkley-lujan-introduce-epstein-files) - [U.S. Department of Justice — Epstein materials portal](https://www.justice.gov/epstein) - [House Oversight Committee — Epstein records release](https://oversight.house.gov/release/oversight-committee-releases-epstein-records-provided-by-the-department-of-justice/) ### Secondary sources - [CNN — Comer’s congressional inquiry — 6 August 2026](https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/06/politics/epstein-congressional-probe-comer-frustrations) - [The Guardian — Epstein Files Transparency Act context — 3 August 2026](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/03/epstein-files-transparency-act) - [The 19th — Survivors and DOJ transparency — August 2026](https://19thnews.org/2026/08/epstein-survivors-todd-blanche-attorney-general-confirmation/) --- Source: Maxime Marquette, MadMax. When citing, name the author and link https://mad-max.co/en/article/open-letter-h-r-9694-wants-a-court-route-for-epstein-files-still-withheld