Edwards Statement On OPM Data Breaches

Statement

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) today issued the following statement regarding the second breach on the Office of Personnel Management database system that has affected more than 21.5 million additional Americans, five times more than the 4.2 million federal employees, retirees, and contractors reported in the first data breach. It is now estimated the total number affected by the two recent data breaches may be close to 25 million.

"I remain concerned that nearly one out of every eight Americans have had their security and personal data put into jeopardy and I believe we have a responsibility to protect the families who have been at risk," Edwards said. "Further, with more than 300,000 federal employees and thousands more federal contractors living in Maryland, this is an issue that hits close to home.

"I will continue to work with my Congressional colleagues to ensure that the Americans serving our nation can keep their personal information safe and secure. That is why I am an original co-sponsor of the RECOVER Act (Reducing the Effects of the Cyberattack on OPM Victims Emergency Response Act of 2015), which mandates expanded identity theft coverage for federal workers, contractors, and other individuals affected, including lifetime coverage and not less than $5 million of identity theft insurance. This bill provides much stronger and comprehensive measures to protect those whose information may have been compromised. It is the very least the federal government can and should do."

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