Bill · H.R. 2363· House(119-HR-2363)
DOGE POUND Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/26/2025
- Last activity
- 3/26/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Diana DeGette
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The DOGE POUND Act of 2025 aims to prohibit certain individuals from accessing systems that contain individually identifiable health information maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services. Under this bill, access is restricted to specific Department of Health and Human Services officers, employees, or contractors who were eligible prior to January 20, 2025. Other individuals must meet strict requirements, such as holding specific security clearances and having at least one year of continuous civil service. The bill also establishes criminal penalties, including potential imprisonment of up to five years, for unauthorized access or authorization. Additionally, it mandates that the Inspector General investigate unauthorized access and report findings to Congress.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+8
The bill provides robust protections for individual privacy regarding sensitive health data.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+8
The bill significantly strengthens data privacy by strictly controlling access to identifiable health information.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
Mandatory Inspector General reports to Congress increase transparency regarding unauthorized data access.
The opposite
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-2
The extension of the statute of limitations to 10 years could impact due process considerations for defendants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Health Information: By restricting access to specific, eligible individuals, the bill seeks to protect systems containing individually identifiable health information (Section 2(a)).
-
Increased Accountability: The bill establishes strict penalties, including up to five years in prison or fines, for anyone who knowingly accesses or authorizes access to these systems in violation of the law (Section 2(b)(1)).
-
Oversight and Transparency: The Inspector General is required to investigate unauthorized access and submit a detailed report to Congress within 30 days, which includes a risk assessment regarding privacy, national security, or cybersecurity (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Criminal Liability and Longer Prosecution Windows: Individuals who violate these access rules face up to five years in prison, and the statute of limitations for these offenses is extended to 10 years (Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+8Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+3Improves Due Process-2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+8
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5
- 4/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Linda SánchezDemocrat · California