Norton and Ruppersberger Mark Public Service Recognition Week with Bill to Provide Lifetime Identify Protection Coverage to Federal Employees Affected by OPM Data Breaches

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As the nation commemorates Public Service Recognition Week, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) today introduced the RECOVER Act (Reducing the Effects of the Cyberattack on OPM Victims Emergency Response Act) to provide free lifetime identity protection coverage to current, former and prospective federal employees and contractors whose Social Security Numbers were compromised by Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data breaches in 2015.  Following the data breaches, Congress approved a version of the Norton-Ruppersberger bill as part of a fiscal year 2017 appropriations bill.  However, OPM is only required to provide the identify protection coverage to affected individuals through fiscal year 2026.  The Norton-Ruppersberger bill requires OPM to provide the coverage for the remainder of the life of the affected individuals.

“Although at our urging Congress took a first step to protect the identities of federal workers affected by the OPM data breaches, only lifetime identity protection coverage will give them the complete peace of mind they deserve,” Norton said.  “There is no limit to the duration of when the compromised personally identifiable information can be used.  The federal government is responsible for the nerve-racking breaches and Congress has an obligation to make affected employees whole by passing our bill.”

“The personal records stolen by hackers have no shelf life – so the identity theft protection offered to the victims shouldn’t, either,” Ruppersberger said.  “As we celebrate Public Service Recognition Week, providing these dedicated and hard-working men and women with a little well-deserved peace of mind is the least we can do.  I am proud to again support this effort.”

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