H.R. 1877: Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act
Sponsor
John Larson
Democrat · CT-1
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 5, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Political appointees shouldn't see your Social Security file
Why it matters
At minimum, an unauthorized look at your Social Security records could trigger $5,000 in damages under H.R. 1877. The bill would bar political appointees and special government employees from these systems, require investigations, and give you a path to sue if your data is improperly accessed or disclosed.
H.R. 1877 would create a bright-line ban on political appointees and special government employees accessing Social Security beneficiary data systems. The bill names major systems outright, including Numident, the Master Beneficiary Record, SSI and Special Veterans Benefits files, the National Disability Determination Services File, the Earnings Recording and Self-Employment Income System, and other systems reachable through SSA's Enterprise Data Warehouse.
If your information is negligently accessed or disclosed in violation of the bill, you could sue. The baseline damages are the greater of $5,000 for each unauthorized act or your actual damages, and punitive damages could also apply if the conduct was willful or the result of gross negligence.
The bill also forces oversight instead of leaving violations buried inside the agency. The SSA Inspector General would have to investigate each violation and report to Congress within 30 days of learning about it, and the Commissioner would have to notify affected people when criminal charges are filed or when disciplinary action is proposed.
H.R. 1877 also says existing SSA privacy regulations in effect on January 19, 2025 keep the force of law. On top of that, GAO would have to send monthly interim reports after enactment and a final review within 1 year.
H.R. 1877 Bill Summary
What H.R. 1877 actually does.
Political appointees lose access to core SSA systems
H.R. 1877 would bar political appointees and special government employees from accessing Social Security beneficiary data systems used to issue SSNs, determine eligibility, pay benefits, or store personally identifiable information.
Your major Social Security records are explicitly covered
The bill specifically lists Numident, the Master Beneficiary Record, SSI and Special Veterans Benefits files, the National Disability Determination Services File, the Earnings Recording and Self-Employment Income System, and other systems accessible through the Enterprise Data Warehouse.
Unauthorized access could cost at least $5,000 per act
If your data is negligently accessed or disclosed in violation of the bill, you could sue for the greater of $5,000 per unauthorized act or your actual damages. Punitive damages could also apply in willful or gross-negligence cases, along with costs and attorneys' fees.
You get 2 years after discovery to sue
The filing window would run for 2 years after you discover the unauthorized access or disclosure, not from the date the violation happened.
SSA would have to notify you when cases move forward
The Commissioner would have to notify affected individuals as soon as practicable if someone is criminally charged over unauthorized access or disclosure, and also when a federal or state agency proposes disciplinary or adverse action.
Congress gets reports within 30 days and every month after
The SSA Inspector General would have to investigate each violation and report to Congress within 30 days of learning about it. GAO would also send monthly interim reports after enactment and a final review within 1 year.
Who benefits from H.R. 1877?
People getting Social Security or SSI benefits
If you receive retirement, disability, survivor, or SSI benefits, your payment and eligibility records would sit behind a stricter access wall, and you could sue if those records are improperly accessed or disclosed.
Anyone whose SSN or earnings record is in SSA systems
Even if you are not currently collecting benefits, H.R. 1877 covers systems that issue or record Social Security numbers and earnings information, so the protections reach far beyond current beneficiaries.
People harmed by improper access
The bill creates a real remedy: at least $5,000 per unauthorized act, plus a 2-year window after discovery to bring a case.
Lawmakers and watchdogs tracking misuse
Congressional oversight committees would get a 30-day Inspector General report after violations come to light, plus monthly GAO updates and a final report within 1 year.
Who is affected by H.R. 1877?
Political appointees
They would be blocked from accessing covered Social Security beneficiary data systems, even if those systems are central to benefits, SSN records, or identity information.
Special government employees
Temporary or specialized government personnel who fall into this category would face the same access ban as political appointees.
The Social Security Administration
SSA would take on new duties to notify affected people, preserve existing privacy rules, and respond to investigations and oversight reporting.
The federal government and private actors who mishandle data
If they negligently access or disclose protected information, they could face civil lawsuits. For repeat or large-scale incidents, that math can climb quickly: 10 unauthorized acts could mean at least $50,000 before fees.
HR1877 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Mar 5, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
About the Sponsor
John Larson
Democrat, Connecticut's 1st congressional district · 27 years in Congress
Committees: Ways and Means
View full profile →
Cosponsors (150)
All 150 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 35 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 32 more.
Richard Neal
Democrat · MA
Nydia Velázquez
Democrat · NY
Sanford Bishop
Democrat · GA
Seth Moulton
Democrat · MA
Christopher Deluzio
Democrat · PA
Jerrold Nadler
Democrat · NY
Rashida Tlaib
Democrat · MI
Danny Davis
Democrat · IL
Sara Jacobs
Democrat · CA
Raúl Grijalva
Democrat · AZ
Bennie Thompson
Democrat · MS
Jonathan Jackson
Democrat · IL
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Ways and Means Committee
16 of 45 committee members cosponsored
3 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 1877 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 1106 of Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1306)
adding after subsection (g) the following: ``(h) Access by Political Appointees and Special Government Employees
H.R. 1877 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Ways and Means
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Social Welfare
- Introduced
- Mar 5, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Mar 5, 2025
Official Sources
Official Congress.gov page for the Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act with status, text, and actions.
The bill amends 42 U.S.C. 1306, the core Social Security confidentiality statute governing disclosure of SSA information.
Section 5 of the bill preserves SSA privacy regulations in 20 CFR Part 401 as in effect on January 19, 2025.
The bill directs the Social Security Administration Inspector General to investigate violations and report them to Congress.
Official SSA program page for Supplemental Security Income, which is referenced through the SSI record covered by the bill.
The bill requires the Comptroller General and GAO to issue interim and final reports on the law’s effects and enforcement.
The bill uses the statutory definition of special government employee from 18 U.S.C. 202(a).
H.R. 1877 Common Questions
Can political appointees still access Social Security records under H.R. 1877?
No. H.R. 1877 would bar political appointees and special government employees from accessing covered Social Security beneficiary data systems.
How much could you recover if your Social Security data is accessed illegally?
At least $5,000 per unauthorized access or disclosure, or your actual damages if those are higher. Punitive damages could also apply for willful or grossly negligent conduct.
Can you sue the federal government under H.R. 1877?
Yes. If a federal officer or employee negligently accesses or discloses your protected SSA information, the bill lets you sue the United States in federal district court.
How long would you have to file a lawsuit?
You would have 2 years after you discover the unauthorized access or disclosure, not 2 years from the day it happened.
Which Social Security systems does H.R. 1877 cover?
It names Numident, the Master Beneficiary Record, SSI and Special Veterans Benefits files, the disability determination file, the earnings system, and other systems accessible through SSA's data warehouse.
Would SSA have to tell you if someone is charged over your data?
Yes. The Commissioner would have to notify affected individuals as soon as practicable when someone is criminally charged for unauthorized access or disclosure.
Who investigates violations under H.R. 1877?
The SSA Inspector General. The bill says the IG must investigate each covered violation and report it to Congress within 30 days of becoming aware of it.
Does H.R. 1877 lock in existing Social Security privacy rules?
Yes. The bill says SSA privacy regulations in effect on January 19, 2025 would continue to have the force of law.
Based on H.R. 1877 bill text
H.R. 1877 Bill Text
“To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to establish that political appointees and special governments may not access beneficiary data systems, to establish civil penalties for certain violations relating to disclosure or access of beneficiary information, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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