Committee Democrats Demand Increased Oversight and Privacy Protections for Americans’ Data, Call Out Republicans for Politically-Selective Concerns

Washington, D.C. (June 11, 2025)— Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, Acting Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led Committee Democrats in demanding stronger privacy protections for Americans’ sensitive data in light of the bankruptcy and sale of 23andMe, a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company, and the Trump Administration’s attacks on federal data, systems, and cybersecurity.  While Republicans joined in bipartisan concern about data security at companies like 23andMe, they have repeatedly ignored the egregious ways that the Trump Administration is endangering national security and the civil liberties of every American by attacking critical security and privacy protections across the federal government.

“We have weak privacy laws, persistent threats from foreign adversaries and Trump’s own estranged top advisor [Elon Musk], and a president who is, both intentionally and through incompetence, crippling the federal government’s cybersecurity defenses, privacy safeguards, and oversight capabilities.  This perfect storm leaves Americans’ sensitive data vulnerable to breaches, exploitation, and surveillance.  Americans—not private companies, hackers, or Elon Musk and DOGE—deserve to own their data and make the decision about how, where, and if their sensitive information is used,” said Acting Ranking Member Lynch in his opening statement.

The Trump-Musk Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has brought unsecured servers into federal agencies, reportedly exported unknown quantities of private data, and contracted with a private company to merge Americans’ sensitive information into a master database that will provide Trump unparalleled surveillance powers over Americans and put this data at greater risk of hacks.  At the same time, the Trump Administration and DOGE are dismantling the federal IT and cybersecurity workforce and replacing hardworking civil servants with unqualified cronies. The Trump Administration’s proposed 2026 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) budget would also cut $495 million and nearly 30% of positions from fiscal year 2025 levels, hindering the agency’s ability to protect Americans’ data from cyber attacks. 

The hearing included testimony from Margaret Hu, Professor of Law, William and Mary Law School, College of William and Mary; Anne Wojcicki, Board Member and Co-Founder, 23andMe; and Joe Selsavage, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, 23andMe.

At the hearing, Committee Democrats denounced the Trump Administration’s efforts to destroy critical security and privacy protections throughout the federal government, leaving Americans’ sensitive data vulnerable to theft and surveillance.  

• Rep. Jasmine Crockett highlighted actions the Trump Administration has taken to undermine the privacy of all Americans, stating, “Despite the messy breakup we all saw unfold last week between the world’s richest billionaire and the world’s pettiest billionaire, we cannot forget the damage Elon Musk and President Trump have done together to our government, national security, and Americans’ privacy.”  Rep. Crockett continued, “[a]lmost 1,000 employees were fired or forced out of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, better known as CISA, weakening America’s cyber defenses.”
• In response to a question from Rep. Crockett about the Trump Administration’s purge of the federal civil service, Professor Margaret Hu responded:  “I think we need to understand the critical role that these agencies and professionals, including CISA [...] play in making sure that they safeguard all of our critical infrastructure and, without proper staffing, we’re throwing ourselves into a great deal of jeopardy.  And I think we also need to recognize the potential conflict of interest here of those that are trying to dismantle these cybersecurity systems.”
• Rep. Wesley Bell emphasized how DOGE’s actions are ransacking the government without any oversight:  “I agree and recognize the need for comprehensive legislation that ensures transparency in the collection and use of personal data, along with stronger security measures and protections when it is handled by corporations, but I also know that the threat of fraud and abuse does not just lie in our corporations, but amongst our very own government.  What we have been seeing over the last couple months is one of the largest fraudsters of them all, and his name is Elon Musk, who this committee refuses to bring to a hearing to question.”   
   
• Rep. Rashida Tlaib called out the game the Administration is playing, saying, “Trump is now working with data and surveillance companies […] to compile databases on Americans.”  She also noted that President Trump is working with Peter Thiel and Alex Karp, “who made it clear that they care more about political domination than American democracy or individual privacy.” 
   
• Rep. Dave Min summarized the stakes of the hearing, stating:  “If Americans are scared about what 23andMe might do with their data, they’d be really scared if they thought about what DOGE and the Trump Administration are already doing with this data.  Congressional Republicans cannot continue to ignore the Trump Administration’s blatant attacks on and destruction of critical security and privacy protections across the government.”  

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