Bell Introduces EPSTEIN Act to Establish Independent Commission To Oversee Epstein Investigation

Washington, D.C.- Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the Ensuring Prosecutorial Scrutiny, Transparency, and Equal Impartiality Nationwide Act, or the EPSTEIN Act, to establish an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate and provide oversight, transparency, and accountability over the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein Files.

"The American people deserve to know the truth about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and everyone who enabled them," said Rep. Bell."For too long, victims have been left without answers and the public has been left in the dark. This commission would ensure that the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files receives the rigorous, independent scrutiny it demands - and that any criminal conduct is referred for prosecution. Justice delayed is justice denied, and we owe it to survivors to get this right."

The EPSTEIN Act will create the Epstein Transparency and Accountability Commission, an independent statutory commission responsible for examining and investigating the documents and evidence within the Epstein Files. This commission will be made up of eight expert members equally split between Democrats and Republicans, and will be entirely separate from the DOJ. Members will be selected by the House and Senate Majority and Minority leadership.

The commission's core responsibilities include independently reviewing all criminal violations committed by Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplices, as well as examining unredacted files and information related to Epstein to create transparency to the public on the DOJ's enforcement of federal human trafficking laws and delivering justice. The commission will have the authority to refer findings to state attorney generals to allow for prosecution. Upon completion of the investigation, the commission will issue a final report to Congress outlining the findings of the investigation and make these findings available to the public on a website established by the commission.

Bell is a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and has consistently pushed for transparency and accountability regarding Jeffrey Epstein and his crimes. Earlier this week, Bell voted in favor of the committee's bipartisan subpoena of Attorney General Pam Bondi to compel her testimony on the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files. Bell has also offered amendments in committee to subpoena witnesses - including former Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino - as part of his broader commitment to using the Oversight Committee's investigative powers to demand answers from those in positions of authority.

Read the full bill text here.