Hoyer Statement on Second OPM Data Breach Incident

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5)released the following statement today after the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced that the personal information of 21.5 million Americans was stolen in a data breach involving Federal background investigation records:

"The total number of individuals who may have had their personal information exposed as a result of OPM's second data breach incident is extremely troubling. I am very concerned that Americans who did nothing more than fill out a background investigation form have to now endure the consequences of their data being compromised. This type of cyber attack poses a critical threat to our nation's economy and our national security, and it is deeply worrying to all Americans. It is essential that the federal government work to improve the technology systems it uses to protect the sensitive and personal information of our employees and their families.

"I represent thousands of federal workers, contractors and their families in the Fifth District who are directly impacted by this incident. I will continue to follow this investigation closely, and I urge OPM to immediately implement comprehensive credit and personal data protections for everyone affected by the breach, and to make the necessary updates to its systems in order to prevent another incident from occurring in the future."

OPM has provided additional information for those who may have been affected available at this link.