Congressman Cohen Demands Answers about Elon Musk’s Access to the Federal Government’s Payment System

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today joined Congressional colleagues in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern over reports that he granted Elon Musk access to the federal government’s expansive payments system. Congressman Cohen also cosponsored the Taxpayer Data Protection Act introduced today.

The letter reads in part:

“As the Treasury Secretary, you serve as the Chief Financial Officer responsible for formulating, managing, and implementing fiscal policies that impact the economy. You are responsible for paying all U.S. bills, collecting taxes, and managing the United States’ credit rating, an assessment of how likely we will repay our debts. This role, if mismanaged, puts our national and global economy at risk and could erode public confidence in the U.S. government…

“It is clear that Mr. Musk and his allies aim to overhaul the payments system to advance their own agenda. Mr. Musk has made numerous comments suggesting that the government should not fund programs that contradict his personal politics…”

See the entire letter here.

The Taxpayer Data Protection Act will: 

Protect the nation’s payment system from reckless and unlawful interference.

Ensure that anyone accessing the system has lawful authorization and 

      Has a reliable track-record of professional service

      Has the necessary security clearance

      Has made an ethics commitment and has no conflicts of interest

      Has appropriate cyber security training

Ensure that anyone who accesses the system with a personal financial conflict faces criminal penalties. 

Ensure that Congress and the public have notice of any unauthorized access and an assessment of any cyber and national security risks or interference with federal payments.

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