WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Rep. Sean Casten (IL-6), and Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) to introduce the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, a bill to prevent unlawful access to Americans’ most sensitive personal information in response to Elon Musk and Republicans' power grab at the U.S. Treasury. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
"Thank you, Congressman Casten and Congresswoman Stevens, for bringing us the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, because this is going to address the deep anxiety across the country about Elon Musk hacking into Americans' most personal information and the illegal cutting of federal funding for critical services.
"Last week, I received a note from a public school teacher in my district. She was very concerned about what's going to happen to education and federal funding for her school. She worried about the grants that might not be there that help provide special education services in her school and across this country. She worried about the school lunches not being available for her students that need them.
"But the thing she told me she was worried about more than anything else? She wrote: 'As a citizen of the nation, I am even more concerned about the overt power grab and overreach' we’re seeing from an unelected billionaire.
"I’ve heard the same thing from Head Start caregivers. From veterans and firefighters. From nurses and doctors at our community health centers. From seniors watching Elon infiltrate their Social Security and Medicare information — calling our office terrified, wondering if they’re going to get their next Social Security check.
"The American people are paying attention. They have watched Republicans not just stand in silence but cheer on the illegal actions that are going to make their lives harder, more expensive, and compromise the security of their personal information. All the while enriching, further, Elon Musk.
"Democrats are fighting back with everything we’ve got, and we will use every tool at our disposal to protect the interests of the American people, to uphold the Constitution, and guard everyday families from this Republican billionaires-first agenda.
"Elon can buy a lot. He is the richest man in the world. But the American people and their security are not for sale. If House Republicans believe that the government belongs to the people, that the theft of taxpayer money is wrong, then they will join us in bringing this legislation up for a vote.
"In the House, it takes three patriots to speak out for their constituents and to stand up for their country. To stop stealing from the deserving to further enrich the billionaire class. Three GOP Members can end this today."
To watch the full speech, click HERE. The bill text is available HERE.