Bill · H.R. 7241· House(119-HR-7241)
Protect Veterans from the THIEF Act
- Introduced
- 1/27/2026
- Last activity
- 2/12/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
- Sponsored by
- Nikki Budzinski
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- 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
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+9
The bill significantly strengthens the privacy of sensitive personal and health information.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+9
The bill provides strong protections against the unauthorized sale of sensitive personal information.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+9
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
-
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. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+9Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+9Increases Big Tech Regulation+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+7Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+9
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+7
- 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