Congresswoman Ramirez, House Democrats Push Legislation to Protect American Data from Unaccountable Billionaires

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) joined U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (Il-06), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and her House Democratic Colleagues to cosponsor the introduction of the Taxpayer Data Protection Act. The legislation would protect US private citizens’ data from reckless and unlawful interference, especially from those with financial conflict interests.

“The richest man on earth is taking control of $6 trillion in Treasury payments: that’s TAXPAYERS’ Social Security checks,  Medicare benefits, and tax refunds. He is bringing working families' checks under HIS control. (f)Elon Musk and his cronies have no authority, no clearance, and no role that justifies accessing our data.” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “We cannot concede the power of the people. The legislation is a start, but we know what we need is campaign finance reform, stronger disclosures, and stronger legislation on conflicts of interest. Let their corruption be our rallying cry to put the power of our democracy back in the hands of the people.”  

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.

BACKGROUND:

Last weekend, the press reported that Elon Musk, his private companies' employees, and Silicon Valley allies gained access to the Department of Treasury’s 6 trillion dollar payment system. Ramirez’s statement here. As a response, 

• Ramirez joined Democrats outside of the Department of Treasury in their oversight role to meet with Secretary Scott Bessent and demand an end to Musk’s illegal attempts to steal Americans' sensitive information. The Secretary denied access to the building and a meeting. 
• Ramirez stood by union workers and colleagues in front of the Department of Labor, demanding that Acting Secretary Vince Micone prevent Elon Musk from accessing the department system and condemning efforts to shrink the necessary federal workforce.
• Ramirez used her time on the Committee on Homeland Security to urge her Republican colleagues to take Musk’s cyber security breach seriously and address the national threat Musk and his non-governmental employees represent. 
• As a Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Ramirez called out Republicans' hypocrisy in ignoring Musk’s attempts to cut VA funds, fire VA workers, and downsize the VA at a time when veterans are worried about what will happen to their care and benefits. 
• Ramirez joined 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, including sensitive personal data of U.S. citizens, and demanding answers as to the extent of Musk’s access.