Van Hollen to OPM: My Constituents Deserve Answers on Data Breach

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CONGRESSMAN CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

Maryland’s 8th District

For Immediate Release

June 16, 2015

CONTACT:  Bridgett Frey – 202-225-5384

Ian Jannetta – 202-225-1527

Van Hollen to OPM: My Constituents Deserve Answers on Data Breach

Tens of Millions of People Potentially Affected as Known Extent Grows

Washington, DC – Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen released a letter to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Katherine Archuleta requesting more information about OPM’s efforts to protect the federal workers made vulnerable by a recent data breach, which is now reported to have been much larger than initially disclosed by OPM on June 4.

“This new information raises the number of those current and former federal employees potentially affected by the breach from 4 million to tens of millions,” Congressman Van Hollen said. “I am writing this letter on behalf of the thousands of current and former federal employees I count among my constituents and millions more around the country who are potentially affected by this breach. We want to know what immediate steps OPM is taking to facilitate the answering of the many questions we have regarding this matter.”

Specifically, Congressman Van Hollen raised concerns about constituents frustrated over the lack of sufficient information coming out of OPM and not being able to reach staff at the agency. He also inquired if the $1 million in liability protection offered to those affected by the breach would be extended to all who are potentially impacted, including annuitants and their families, current and former job applicants, those seeking clearances, and contractors.

The full text of the letter is below:

Director Archuleta:

I am writing as a follow up to my letter to you dated June 8, 2015, in light of new developments regarding the data breach.

In recent days media reports have emerged indicating that the breach announced in OPM’s June 4th press release was actually two breaches: one impacting the data of federal employees and a second breach specifically affecting applicants for security clearances. Additionally, these reports strongly suggest that the personal data of employment applications going as far back as the 1980s may have been exposed in the breach. This new information raises the number of those current and former federal employees potentially affected by the breach from 4 million to tens of millions.

My constituents have been contacting my office to express their frustration about the lack of sufficient information coming out of OPM on this highly pressing matter. They have shared their concerns about the difficulty of being able to reach someone at OPM to answer their urgent questions.

I am writing this letter on behalf of the thousands of current and former federal employees I count among my constituents and millions more around the country who are potentially affected by this breach. We want to know what immediate steps OPM is taking to facilitate the answering of the many questions we have regarding this matter.

In that regard, the June 4th OPM press release indicated that a year of free credit monitoring and up to $1 million in liability protection would be provided to those affected by the breach. Will the same protections be extended to all who are potentially impacted including annuitants and their families, current and former job applicants, those seeking clearances and contractors?

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely yours,

Chris Van Hollen

Member of Congress