1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing as a deeply concerned constituent to express my frustration and disappointment with Congress’s continued failure to hold the Executive Branch accountable—particularly the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice has violated federal law by failing to inform Congress of the reasons behind its redactions to the Jeffrey Epstein–related files. Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the DOJ was required to provide Congress with written explanations for each redaction and withheld document by the statutory deadline. That deadline has passed, yet Congress has received no meaningful justification. This is not a technical oversight or bureaucratic delay—it is a clear refusal to comply with the law. The intent of the statute was unambiguous: to ensure transparency and restore public trust by allowing Congress to review these records with only narrow, clearly justified exceptions. Instead, the DOJ released heavily redacted materials without explanation while, in some cases, failing to adequately protect the identities of survivors. Survivors themselves have publicly condemned the handling of these files, describing the redactions as extreme, unjustified, and harmful. What is most troubling is not only the DOJ’s conduct, but Congress’s unwillingness to enforce its own authority. If the Executive Branch can simply ignore statutory requirements without consequence, then congressional oversight is meaningless. Laws passed by Congress must be enforced, or they become nothing more than suggestions. Equally alarming are recent developments in which the Executive Branch has escalated foreign tensions with Venezuela during the same period these disclosures and explanations were due. Whether intentional or not, this has had the effect of diverting public attention away from the DOJ’s noncompliance. Military posturing or foreign crises must never be allowed to serve as a distraction from violations of domestic law. Our constitutional system depends on checks and balances. When the Executive Branch disregards clear legal obligations, it is Congress’s responsibility—not an option—to respond. Continued inaction undermines public confidence and sets a dangerous precedent for unchecked executive power. I urge you to: Demand immediate compliance from the Department of Justice, including full written explanations for all redactions and withheld materials. Support and pursue robust enforcement measures, including oversight hearings and any legal remedies necessary to compel compliance. Reassert Congress’s constitutional role by demonstrating that no agency is above the law. The American people deserve transparency, accountability, and a Congress willing to defend its authority. I expect better, and I urge you to act.