Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) recently joined Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) in promoting the Saving Privacy Act, a bill that aims to “end government abuse of Americans’ financial information.” The senators claim the federal government unreasonably collects too much of its citizen’s data without proper cause.
For instance, the legislation would strengthen the protections of the Fourth Amendment, bolster the necessary requirements for a warrant included in the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978, prohibit the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency, and require congressional approval for any new databases that “collect personally identifiable information of U.S. citizens,” among other measures.
Sen. Scott described the bill as “commonsense legislation” that fights back against big government.
“Big government has no place in law-abiding Americans’ personal finances. It is a massive overreach of the government and a gross violation of their privacy. That is why I am teaming up with Senator Lee so that we can protect Americans’ personal financials for good,” said Sen. Scott. “Our Saving Privacy Act will allow federal agencies to go after criminals while also protecting innocent Americans’ data. This is commonsense legislation, and I am urging my colleagues to support its immediate passage.”
Furthermore, Sen. Lee added that the federal government does not retain the right to surveil the finances of Americans.
“The federal government has no business surveilling the financial activities of millions of innocent Americans. The current system erodes the privacy rights of citizens, while doing little to effectively catch true financial criminals,” said Sen. Lee. “My Saving Privacy Act ensures that Americans’ personal information is protected and that government agencies operate within the bounds of the Constitution.”
Additionally, Scott and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) have introduced the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act, a bill that would “hold Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) accountable by requiring enforcement of federal antisemitism prohibitions.” The senators from Florida cite the rise of antisemitic harassment cases at college campuses since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, which left over 1,200 civilians and IDF soldiers dead.
The bill would expand the scope of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act – prohibiting discrimination based on religion (except for religious programs or activities), provide clear consequences for IHEs, aim to ensure that antisemitic discrimination penalties are equally enforced and require the U.S. Department of Education to get involved with private lawsuits brought against IHEs that receive funding to combat antisemitism, among other efforts.
