Rep. Cleaver, House Democrats Introduce New Bill to Stop Elon Musk From Invading Americans’ Privacy

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined House Democrats to introduce the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, legislation in direct response to Elon Musk’s shameful invasion of Americans’ privacy. The bill will stop people with conflicts of interest or without a security clearance from accessing the highly sensitive Treasury Department payment system—which is responsible for Social Security and Medicare benefits. 

“My office has been flooded with calls from Missourians who are deeply concerned about Elon Musk’s takeover of the federal payment system, which is a dangerous development that jeopardizes their personal privacy and our national security,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As my constituents rightfully demand action to end this intrusion by an unelected billionaire, I’m proud to support the Taxpayer Data Protection Act so that Congress can hold the Trump Administration accountable and prevent Mr. Musk’s invasion of privacy of everyday Americans.”

Congressman Cleaver has strongly pushed back against the Trump Administration giving Musk access to Treasury’s payment system. Earlier this week, Cleaver attended a protest in front of the Treasury Department to demand Musk’s access be revoked. Yesterday, Cleaver joined 153 House Democrats in expressing concerns and demanding information from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Musk’s access to Americans’ private information. 

If passed, the Taxpayer Data Protection Act will curb corruption and protect privacy by ensuring that only trusted public servants without conflicts of interest and with appropriate security clearances can access the Treasury Department’s most sensitive systems. 

Official text of the Taxpayer Data Protection Act is available here. 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.