NE Washington News

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-NJ) expressed their satisfaction after the House passed H.R. 7520, the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024, with a vote of 414 - 0. In a joint statement, they emphasized the importance of the legislation in preventing data brokers from selling Americans’ sensitive personal information to foreign adversaries.

"Today’s overwhelming vote sends a clear message that we will not allow our adversaries to undermine American national security and individual privacy by purchasing people’s personally identifiable sensitive information from data brokers. H.R. 7520 is another key step towards strengthening data protections and safeguarding our nation from foreign adversaries," the statement read.

The legislation, introduced by Rodgers and Pallone earlier this month, has garnered bipartisan support. It is cosponsored by Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), as well as Reps. Rick W. Allen (R-GA), and Lori Trahan (D-MA). The bill passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee with a unanimous vote of 50-0.

Rodgers and Pallone also highlighted the significance of H.R. 7520 in complementing more comprehensive national data privacy legislation. They expressed their commitment to continuing to work together on ensuring data protection and privacy for all Americans.

"We're encouraged by today’s strong vote, which should help build momentum to get this important bipartisan legislation, as well as more comprehensive privacy legislation, signed into law this Congress," the lawmakers stated.

The bill text of H.R. 7520 is available for review on the official House website.