Of inquiry requesting the President of the United States to furnish certain information to the House of Representatives relating to the Department of Government Efficiency’s access to and usage of NUMIDENT and other personally identifiable information in the possession of the Social Security Administration.
Summary
This House Resolution is an inquiry directed to the President, requesting information regarding the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) access to and usage of NUMIDENT and other personally identifiable information held by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The resolution seeks documents and communications related to the development of a cloud environment hosting NUMIDENT, the purposes for creating such an environment, and the access and usage of NUMIDENT data by specific individuals and DOGE personnel.
The inquiry also covers access to personally identifiable information within the SSA's Enterprise Data Warehouse. The request aims to shed light on potential data consolidation, usage, and security practices within the federal government.
The resolution was submitted by Mr. Larson of Connecticut and several co-sponsors and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Expected Effects
If adopted, this resolution would compel the President to provide the House of Representatives with detailed information regarding the Department of Government Efficiency's access to and use of sensitive data held by the Social Security Administration.
This could lead to increased transparency and oversight of data handling practices within the government. It may also reveal potential risks to individual privacy and security.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency regarding government access to and use of citizens' personal information.
- Potential for improved oversight of data security protocols within federal agencies.
- Opportunity to identify and address potential privacy risks associated with data consolidation and sharing.
- Ensuring accountability for individuals and departments accessing sensitive information.
- May lead to better-informed policy decisions regarding data governance and privacy protection.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for political disputes and delays in providing the requested information.
- Risk of exposing sensitive information if the disclosed documents are not properly redacted or secured.
- Possible chilling effect on legitimate government efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness through data analysis.
- Could divert resources from other important government functions.
- May create unnecessary burdens on the President and executive branch agencies.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution aligns with the principle of Congressional oversight, which is implied in Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, granting legislative powers to Congress. The power of inquiry is essential for Congress to effectively legislate and oversee the executive branch. The resolution also touches on potential privacy concerns, which, while not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, are often interpreted as being protected under the Fourth Amendment's guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Ninth Amendment, which states that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that other rights that are not specifically listed are not also protected.
However, the scope of the inquiry must be balanced against the executive branch's legitimate need to protect sensitive information related to national security and effective governance. The Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances, and this resolution represents one aspect of that system in action.
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).