Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)
Protect Veterans from the THIEF Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Protect Veterans from the THIEF Act," aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code. It seeks to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from entering into contracts that allow contractors to sell sensitive personal information. The legislation also requires the Secretary to ensure that covered contracts include clauses preventing the monetization or misuse of covered information. Additionally, the Secretary must issue guidance to help identify such misuse by contractors or their affiliates. Finally, the Secretary is required to submit a report to appropriate congressional committees regarding these actions.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +9
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill significantly strengthens the privacy of sensitive personal and health information.
- Scored +9
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill provides strong protections against the unauthorized sale of sensitive personal information.
- Scored +9
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill provides essential protections for the sensitive personal and health data of veterans.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prohibition of Information Sales: The bill prevents the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from entering into contracts where a contractor can sell or disclose sensitive personal information for money (Section 2).
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Prevention of Information Misuse: The Secretary must ensure that covered contracts include clauses that prohibit information from being monetized, sold, or misused by contractors, subcontractors, affiliates, or other entities (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Enhanced Oversight and Guidance: The Secretary is required to create a directive or policy to help employees and contractors identify the sale or misuse of covered information to ensure compliance (Section 3(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill significantly strengthens the privacy of sensitive personal and health information. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires reports to congressional committees regarding data protection actions. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the regulatory oversight of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs over contracts.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill provides strong protections against the unauthorized sale of sensitive personal information. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill restricts the ability of entities to monetize and sell sensitive data.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — By safeguarding private data, the bill protects the dignity and privacy of veteran benefits. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill enhances data security by preventing the sale of sensitive personal information.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill provides essential protections for the sensitive personal and health data of veterans.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill protects the privacy of sensitive health and personal information for veterans.
- 2/12/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
- 1/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tom BarrettRepublican · Michigan