Rep. Sherrill Applauds Inclusion of Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act in the Senate's NDAA

Press Release

Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) applauds the inclusion of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act in the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation bolsters efforts to protect the federal judiciary and safeguard the personally identifiable information of federal judges and their immediate families. 

"No public servant should have to fear for their safety, or the safety of their families, when serving our country and safeguarding our democracy," said Rep. Sherrill. "Judge Salas experienced a heartbreaking tragedy, but now, we are one step closer to preventing future violence and making sure we keep our federal judges and their loved ones protected. I want to thank my colleagues Senators Menendez and Booker for advancing this legislation in the Senate. I urge Congressional Leadership to ensure that this bill is included in the final version of the NDAA for Judge Salas and so many of her colleagues who have faced countless threats."  

Rep. Sherrill, a former federal prosecutor, first introduced this bill in 2020 along with Senators Menendez and Booker, in response to the tragic targeted attack on US District Court Judge Esther Salas's New Jersey home. In July 2020, a man posing as a FedEx delivery driver went to the home of Judge Salas and opened fire, critically wounding her husband, Mark Anderl, and killing their 20-year-old son, Daniel. The gunman, identified by authorities as a "men's rights" attorney, had previously argued a case before Judge Salas and used publicly available information to target the judge. Judge Salas later made a personal, public plea for greater privacy protections for federal judges.

The Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act authorizes funding for the Federal judiciary to monitor and assess online threats, maintain records, investigate complaints and address acts of aggression and violations. It would also allow the U.S. Marshal Service to hire additional intelligence analysts, deputy U.S. Marshals, and other personnel to ensure the agency is able to anticipate and deter threats to federal judges.

The legislation would also shield personal information of federal judges and their immediate family, including home addresses, social security numbers, contact information, vehicle registration information, and the name of the schools and employers of their immediate family members.

The bill is supported by the New Jersey State Bar Association, National Association of Attorneys General, Judicial Conference of the United States, Federal Magistrate Judges Association, American Bar Association (ABA), Dominican Bar Association, New York Intellectual Property Law Association, Federal Bar Council, Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), and Federal Judges Association.

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