This month, we are focusing on H.R. 1877, the “Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act.” Introduced by Representative John Larson (D-CT-1) on March 5, 2025, this bill seeks to tighten the reins on who can access the vast repositories of sensitive information maintained by the agency. NOSSCR (with the NOSSCR PAC) has been a longtime supporter of Congressman Larson, who is widely understood to be one of Social Security’s strongest defenders in Congress.

At its core, H.R. 1877 aims to prohibit political appointees and special government employees from accessing “beneficiary data systems” that contain personally identifiable information (PII). The bill defines these systems broadly to include any database used to issue Social Security numbers, determine eligibility for benefits, or process payments. This includes the Numident (the master file of SSN holders), the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR), and the Supplemental Security Income Record.

Beyond access restrictions, the legislation proposes a new civil right of action for individuals whose data is negligently accessed or disclosed. If the bill becomes law, affected individuals could bring a suit in U.S. District Court within two years of discovering a violation. The bill outlines specific monetary damages, including a minimum of $5,000 per act of unauthorized access, or the sum of actual damages plus punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct.

To ensure transparency, H.R. 1877 requires the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to investigate every unauthorized access or disclosure and report these findings to Congress within 30 days of discovery. Furthermore, if an employee is subject to disciplinary action or criminal charges for a data breach, the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to notify the affected beneficiary. The bill also seeks to codify existing privacy regulations into law to ensure they remain in effect.

The legislation has seen a steady increase in support within the House of Representatives. As of late March 2026, the bill has amassed 147 cosponsors, all from the Democratic caucus. Recent additions to the cosponsor list include Representatives Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-4), and Angie Craig (D-MN-2), reflecting continued legislative interest in the security of the SSA’s data infrastructure.

While the bill is currently with the House Ways and Means Committee, its future remains a point of observation for those of us in the advocacy community. Regardless of the legislative outcome, the conversation surrounding the protection of claimant PII remains a critical component of maintaining the integrity of the Social Security system for the 70 million Americans who rely on it.

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