Dear Community Member,

The American people put their trust in their government to safeguard their personal and financial information. The U.S. Department of Treasury processes 1.5 billion payments annually. To do this, the federal government retains the sensitive personal information of millions of Americans who receive Social Security checks, tax refunds, and other payments from the federal government. This information includes Social Security numbers, bank routing information, and other protected personal information.

I share many in our community’s concerns that the Trump Administration has offered Elon Musk access to sensitive information held by the Department of Treasury without providing any reason or transparency on why he was given access, how this data will be protected, or what guardrails, if any, are in place. The integrity of our federal payment system is essential to ensuring Social Security, Medicare, and tax refunds reach those who rely on them. Government payment systems should not be subject to political influence.

In Congress, we will demand answers to ensure these critical systems remain secure, independent, and focused on serving the American people, not on fulfilling a political agenda. This action will take place through oversight and the courts, as well as through legislation. 

Here’s how I am fighting back:

Blocking Unlawful Access to Treasury’s Payment System
In Congress, we are working with to evaluate legal options for addressing Elon Musk’s unprecedented and dangerous access to our country’s databases. Legal challenges are imminent, and we will pursue all avenues to stop this.

It is possible that the Administration providing access to the Treasury’s payment system was a U.S. Code 6103, which mandates that tax return information shall remain confidential. The fact that these payments relate to tax refunds, and the fact that the individuals from DOGE who have accessed this information might not be employees of the Treasury Department, could be a violation of taxpayer privacy laws. As part of the House Ways and Means Committee, I will pursue this aggressively to protect taxpayers’ sensitive data.

Introducing Legislation to Bolster Our Guardrails
In Congress, we are introducing legislation to immediately revoke unauthorized access to the Bureau of Fiscal Service’s payment system. This bill would set strict security and privacy guardrails, preventing any political appointee from unilaterally granting access to confidential taxpayer data.

Leveraging Our Power to Push for Accountability
In Congress, we are pushing for strong protections in the upcoming government funding bill to block any attempt to misuse or withhold taxpayer dollars and put safeguards in place.

Launching Oversight Investigations
Congress has an obligation to demand answers and accountability from Treasury officials who allowed this reckless handover of financial data. I will push for hearings and investigations into how and why Musk was given access to this system and ensure that taxpayer data is not being exploited for private gain.

Calling for Inspector General and GAO reviews
With Trump having fired critical watchdogs across agencies, it is imperative that independent investigations take place. In Congress, I will join my colleagues to urge the Treasury Department’s Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office to immediately review potential violations of taxpayer privacy laws and assess risks to personal financial security.

As we push forward with legislation, oversight investigations, and accountability measures, we need to safeguard the information behind our Social Security, Medicare, and tax refunds. We will not allow sensitive financial data to be handed over for political or private gain. We need transparency, accountability, and real protections for the American people.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Panetta
United States Representative
19th Congressional District, California