Casten, Stevens Lead Landmark House Democrats’ Bill to Protect Taxpayer Data From Elon Musk
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Haley Stevens (MI-11) were joined by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar to introduce the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, landmark legislation to ensure US private citizens’ data is not subject to reckless and unlawful interference.
“Elon Musk has no business accessing the personal data of private US citizens,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “What does Mr. Musk want to do with information about what charities you give to, what your income streams are, or how much money you get in your Social Security check each month? Whatever it is, I’m proud to join my colleagues today to do everything in our power to stop him before he has the chance to do it.”
“As a former Treasury official, who served in the Department as Chief of Staff to President Obama’s auto rescue, I am intimately familiar with the critical role the agency plays in our nation's economy – delivering payments to Americans and securing the full faith and credit of our nation. Elon Musk, or any other unelected billionaire with zero government experience, should not have access to Americans’ most private data, like Social Security numbers, addresses, birthdates, and bank account information, ” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “It begs the question, what exactly is he trying to accomplish? Research on his opponents? Stopping payments on Americans’ earned benefits like Social Security and Medicare? This bill makes crystal clear the level of experience and security training those granted access to our nation’s bill paying system must have and will stop unlawful incursions and protect the American people. Thank you to my great colleague from Illinois Sean Casten for introducing this vital national security bill with me and to our Democratic leadership for standing up for what is right.”
A video of Reps. Casten and Stevens’ press conference with House Democratic Leadership announcing the legislation can be found here.
The Taxpayer Data Protection Act will:
- Protect the nation’s payment system from reckless and unlawful interference.
- Ensure that anyone accessing the system has lawful authorization and
- Has a reliable track-record of professional service
- Has the necessary security clearance
- Has made an ethics commitment and has no conflicts of interest
- Has appropriate cyber security training
- Ensure that anyone who accesses the system with a personal financial conflict faces criminal penalties.
- Ensure that Congress and the public have notice of any unauthorized access and an assessment of any cyber and national security risks or interference with federal payments.
Text of the legislation can be found here.
Earlier today, Rep. Casten led 154 House Democrats in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern regarding Elon Musk and his allies’ access to the federal government’s payments system, which also includes sensitive personal data of U.S. citizens, and demanding answers as to the extent of Musk’s access.
###