Hank Johnson: “This amendment I oppose. It would require agencies to publish in the Federal Register a list of information on which a…”

“This amendment I oppose. It would require agencies to publish in the Federal Register a list of information on which a rule is based, including data, scientific and economic studies, cost-benefit analyses, and where the public can access this information online. While this amendment purports to make scientific information available that is used in developing a rule, the amendment does not define or limit what would actually constitute the term ``data.'' As a result, the term could include sensitive health data, classified data, confidential business information, and all other forms of information subject to a rulemaking by any Federal agency. Especially in light of the recent disclosure that the personal and sensitive information of millions of Federal employees maintained by the Office of Personnel Management was hacked, Congress should be working to prevent Federal data breaches by reducing the accumulation and potential loss of sensitive data rather than requiring that the publication of such vast amounts of sensitive data be the rule of law. We just simply cannot afford that in this day and time. In sum, this amendment would exacerbate the risk of identity theft and data breaches. For those reasons, I must oppose this amendment. I urge my colleagues to do so as well.”