S.2144 - To improve the safety and security of Members of Congress, immediate family members of Members of Congress, and congressional staff. (119th Congress)
Summary
S.2144 aims to enhance the safety and security of Members of Congress, their immediate family members, and congressional staff by protecting their covered information in public records. The bill defines 'at-risk individuals' and 'covered information,' and it outlines measures to prevent government agencies and data brokers from publicly posting or transferring this information. It also provides avenues for redress if covered information is improperly disclosed.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to increased privacy and security for members of Congress, their families, and staff. This could reduce the risk of threats and harassment against these individuals. However, it may also raise concerns about transparency and public access to information.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced personal safety for members of Congress, their families, and staff.
- Reduced risk of doxxing and harassment.
- Greater privacy regarding personal information.
- Limits the ability of data brokers to profit from the personal information of at-risk individuals.
- Provides a legal recourse for individuals whose information is improperly disclosed.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential reduction in government transparency due to restricted access to certain information.
- Possible chilling effect on legitimate news reporting or commentary if it involves covered information, despite exceptions.
- Could be perceived as creating a privileged class with greater privacy protections than average citizens.
- Increased administrative burden for government agencies and businesses to comply with the new regulations.
- Potential for abuse if the definition of 'at-risk individual' is interpreted too broadly.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the Constitution is complex. While it aims to protect individuals, it could potentially conflict with the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the press, particularly regarding the reporting of matters of public concern. The exceptions provided in the bill attempt to address this concern, but the balance between privacy and freedom of information remains a key consideration. Article 1, Section 6 provides some context regarding the privileges and protections afforded to members of Congress, but does not explicitly address data privacy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).