Larson, McClain Delaney Introduce Bill to Protect Farmers’ Privacy from ‘DOGE’ Data Breach

Washington, D.C. - House Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) and Rep. April McClain Delaney (MD-06), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, announced the introduction of the Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Act. Their bill would prevent Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency ('DOGE') from accessing Americans' financial information at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including databases managed by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The legislation is in response to last month'sreportsof a 'DOGE' employee gaining high-level access to the USDA's National Payment System, raising serious concerns about potential fraud, identity theft and further misuse of sensitive personal information. Immediately following this breach, Larson and McClain Delaneyled12 of their colleagues in sending a letter to USDA and FSA leadership to urge the immediate protection of sensitive information from 'DOGE' interference and third-party access.

"American farmers already have concerns about sharing their personal information with the federal government, let alone an unaccountable, 'special' government agency like 'DOGE,'" said Larson. "Just last week, we found out that 'DOGE' copied private data at Social Security to an unsecure server, and who knows what they will do with access to our farmers' confidential loan data. We cannot let Elon Musk's unqualified proteges get their hands on these financial records. I am proud to join with Rep. McClain Delaney to safeguard our local growers' financial data from a dangerous 'DOGE' data breach."

"When a farmer applies for a loan or disaster aid, they're not just filling out paperwork-they're entrusting the federal government with their family's livelihood," said McClain Delaney. "That trust must be honored. This legislation is about protecting privacy, ensuring accountability and keeping our agricultural producers secure. We must defend the privacy we've promised countless rural communities, in Maryland and across the country."

More than 90 percent of U.S. producers receive some sort of USDA support through disaster relief, federal loans and other forms of FSA assistance. During that process, applicants are required to disclose their financial and operational data, under the belief that their personal information would be handled only by trained, accountable USDA staff-not outside employees operating with little oversight or in partnership with third party entities.

The Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Actwould:

• Prohibit 'DOGE' from accessing USDA databases containing farmers' financial, operational, or personal data;

• Reaffirm USDA's responsibility to safeguard sensitive information; and,

• Help restore confidence for farmers and ranchers who rely on federal programs to weather market shifts, natural disasters, and rising costs.

Full bill text is available HERE.