Huizenga Introduces Bill to Ban the IRS from Collecting Any Biometric Data from American Taxpayers

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of the Ban IRS Biometrics Act. The Ban IRS Biometrics Act stops the IRS from collecting, using, or storing, any type of biometric data. This legislation expands on the FACE Act, legislation introduced earlier this month by Congressman Huizenga to stop the IRS from requiring American taxpayers to use facial recognition software to access basic IRS services. The Ban IRS Biometrics Act has also been introduced in the Senate by Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida.

"Too often we have seen the federal government creep further and further into the private lives of Americans," said Congressman Bill Huizenga. "The Ban IRS Biometrics Act prevents the IRS from gathering and using any biometric data from American taxpayers. The IRS demonstrated a clear desire to collect the biometric information of Americans when they were in the final stages of implementing their facial recognition requirement. When you combine that desire with the IRS' history of targeting conservatives and leaking the private information of taxpayers, it's clear the IRS should not be allowed to collect or require the use of biometric data. The Ban IRS Biometrics Act is a common sense approach to strengthen privacy protections for Americans while stopping blatant and invasive overreach by the federal government."

Senator Rick Scott said, "The fact that the Biden administration would even consider requiring Americans to use facial recognition system just to file their taxes is both unsurprising and deeply concerning. I'm glad that Biden's IRS finally listened to my warnings and reversed its horrible proposal -- but we must ensure this disastrous idea is never entertained again. The safety of Americans' personal information must ALWAYS be a priority, and I am proud to have Representative Huizenga take up this fight and introduce our Ban IRS Biometrics Act in the House of Representatives."

Background:

Specifically, the Ban IRS Biometrics Act defines the term "biometric information' to mean information regarding any measurable physical characteristic or personal behavioral trait used to recognize the identity, or verify the claimed identity or location, of an individual, including facial images, fingerprints, and iris scans.

The Ban IRS Biometrics Act also requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, to develop a plan within 180 days for the safe and secure destruction and disposal of any biometric information collected or used by the IRS or any third-party vendor on behalf of the IRS before the date of this bill becoming law.

Joining Congressman Huizenga in support of the Ban IRS Biometrics Act in the House are: Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN), Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS), and Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA).

Joining Senator Rick Scott in support of the Ban IRS Biometrics Act in the Senate are: Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).

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