Schmidt Refused to Sign Epstein Transparency Petition
Kansas Representative Derek Schmidt declined to sign a discharge petition for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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U.S. Representative Derek Schmidt has declined to sign a discharge petition intended to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II. House sponsors recently announced they secured the 218 signatures needed to bypass committee procedure and bring the bill to the floor.
Why it matters
The legislation aims to mandate the release of remaining government documents concerning Jeffrey Epstein, following concerns that the Department of Justice has only provided half of the 6 million available pages. Schmidt stated he prefers to work through House leadership rather than using discharge petitions, which he argued can render the body nonfunctional.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act II seeks to release the remaining 50% of 6 million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. While the bill reached the 218-signature threshold for a discharge petition, the total volume of government records remains largely pending.
The players
Derek Schmidt
He is the U.S. Representative for the 2nd District of Kansas.
Don Coover
He is a Democratic candidate running for the congressional seat in Kansas's 2nd District.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who signed the initial Epstein transparency law.
Todd Blanche
He serves as the U.S. Attorney General and has faced threats of civil contempt regarding document disclosures.
Emmet Sullivan
He is a U.S. District Judge overseeing matters related to the disclosure of government documents.
The details
Democratic candidate Don Coover criticized the decision, while Schmidt maintained that he would likely support the transparency legislation if it reached a vote through standard procedures. The disclosure effort responds to ongoing claims from victims that the Justice Department has obstructed transparency, a situation that led U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan to threaten Attorney General Todd Blanche with civil contempt.
Timeline
Jeffrey Epstein died in his jail cell in 2019.
Donald Trump signed the initial Epstein transparency legislation in November 2025.
Derek Schmidt visited the Kansas Secretary of State's Office on March 12, 2026.
House sponsors announced they secured 218 petition signatures on September 17, 2026.
The Epstein legislation may reach the House floor after November 3, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the discharge petition, including Schmidt, argue that bypassing committee procedures undermines the legislative process and institutional stability. Conversely, supporters contend that using such petitions is a necessary mechanism to ensure accountability when leadership fails to act on public transparency mandates.
The ongoing delay in document disclosure impacts the public's ability to access government records concerning the Epstein case. Residents in Kansas and across the country remain waiting to see if the full 6 million pages will be released following the November 2026 election.
The takeaway
Transparency efforts face significant procedural hurdles when lawmakers prioritize established committee workflows over bypass mechanisms. The conflict highlights the tension between institutional protocol and the public demand for the full disclosure of government files.
Further reading
For more information on state-level perspectives regarding federal initiatives, visit the Legislative Policy section.
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