I’m outraged that President Trump is giving Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire with huge conflicts of interest across the federal government, free rein within our government and its systems. I’m outraged by Musk’s reckless and dangerous actions resulting from that access and by Congressional Republicans’ silence on the worst of these offenses. As one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, I’m beyond frustrated by my conversations with my Republican colleagues. I agree that federal agencies should be more efficient and I agree wholeheartedly that any waste, fraud, and abuse should be eliminated. What Musk is doing is not that.
I’m a cosponsor of the Taxpayer Data Protection Act which forces Musk out of our nation’s payment system. I also recently sent a request to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking for an explanation on the legality of Musk’s access to this confidential system, whether he and others are now employees of the department, and exactly what access Musk and his team have been given. Americans are rightfully scared about this situation and deserve answers.
I have and will continue to speak out publicly, talk to Congressional Republicans in Washington, encourage my community to speak out – public outcry forced the reversal of President Trump’s federal funding freeze – and to find more ways big and small to bring this reckless and dangerous behavior to an end. You can watch my speech on the House floor here.