Van Hollen, Durbin Call on AG Bondi to Immediately Release Epstein Files

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS), and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to immediately release the Epstein files. The Senators’ letter follows the Senate Appropriations Committee’s unanimous passage of the Senators’ amendment requiring the Attorney General to “retain, preserve, and compile any records or evidence related to any investigation, prosecution, or incarceration of Jeffrey Epstein” and submit a report to Congress within 60 days regarding the records and evidence.

The Senators begin, “We write regarding the Department of Justice and its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and records. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee, by a unanimous bipartisan vote, directed you and the Department to preserve and retain all of the Epstein files and to submit a report on the records to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. This unanimous vote reflects the urgent need to provide transparency and accountability with respect to the Epstein files. There is no reason to wait until the bill with our amendment makes its way through Congress. We call upon you to follow the bipartisan directive of the Appropriations Committee and release the Epstein files without delay.”

“The case of Jeffrey Epstein is a deeply disturbing one, with horrifying sexual abuse of over 1,000 young women and girls. From the lenient plea deal he received in Florida in 2008 to the end of his case with his death in prison in 2019, survivors of his abuse have been denied the full accounting of his crimes and the justice they deserve. We must ensure that the American people can have confidence in a justice system that operates without secrecy or undue influence—especially in the handling of such a prominent case involving the sexual exploitation and trafficking of so many victims. Delivering transparency in this case is necessary to providing accountability and answers to the American people,” they note.

“Again, we ask that, rather than wait for the final passage of this provision, you provide the information and answers thirty days from today, August 16, 2025. We appreciate your attention to this vital matter of public interest,” the Senators conclude.

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Attorney General Bondi,

We write regarding the Department of Justice and its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and records. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee, by a unanimous bipartisan vote, directed you and the Department to preserve and retain all of the Epstein files and to submit a report on the records to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. This unanimous vote reflects the urgent need to provide transparency and accountability with respect to the Epstein files. There is no reason to wait until the bill with our amendment makes its way through Congress. We call upon you to follow the bipartisan directive of the Appropriations Committee and release the Epstein files without delay. 

The case of Jeffrey Epstein is a deeply disturbing one, with horrifying sexual abuse of over 1,000 young women and girls. From the lenient plea deal he received in Florida in 2008 to the end of his case with his death in prison in 2019, survivors of his abuse have been denied the full accounting of his crimes and the justice they deserve. We must ensure that the American people can have confidence in a justice system that operates without secrecy or undue influence—especially in the handling of such a prominent case involving the sexual exploitation and trafficking of so many victims. Delivering transparency in this case is necessary to providing accountability and answers to the American people. 

Here is the provision passed unanimously by the Appropriations Committee: 

Amendment by Senator Van Hollen and Senator Durbin (Jeffrey Epstein Records Retention): 

On page 86 of the bill, line 4, insert after “in detail the justification for the waiver.” 

“Sec. ___.  The Attorney General shall retain, preserve, and compile any records or evidence related to any investigation, prosecution, services provided to victims, or incarceration of Jeffrey Epstein:  Provided, That not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report that includes information on the history of the Jeffrey Epstein case (including the 2008 non-prosecution agreement), victims and testimony (including notifications under section 3771 of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the “Crime Victims’ Rights Act”)), investigation of co-conspirators, internal reviews and misconduct findings by the Department of Justice, the current status of investigations into the financial and trafficking networks of Jeffrey Epstein, an intelligence assessment of Jeffrey Epstein’s financial ties, clients, and connections (if any) to the United States Government or foreign governments, and oversight failures at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York:  Provided further, That, as necessary to protect privacy, the Attorney General may redact the names and personally identifiable information of victims from the report submitted to Congress.”

Again, we ask that, rather than wait for the final passage of this provision, you provide the information and answers thirty days from today, August 16, 2025. We appreciate your attention to this vital matter of public interest.