Statement on Data Security Hearing

Washington, D.C. Today, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing about electronic data security and breach notification. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, the top Democrat on the subcommittee, was pleased to welcome Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to share her perspective on those issues and to inform the committee about the steps the state has undertaken to protect consumers. Schakowsky issued the following statement after the hearing:

“Today’s hearing provided an opportunity to better understand the evolving data security threats facing large merchants like Target and Neiman Marcus, and the impact that security breaches have on American consumers whose financial or personal information is compromised. I thank Attorney General Madigan for her thoughtful testimony and answers to the committee’s many questions. The steps she has taken to minimize the risk of data theft and to inform Illinoisans in a timely manner following breaches have contributed greatly to the conversation we are having in Washington about how Congress can play a complementary role on a national level. I look forward to working with Subcommittee Chairman Lee Terry to put forward bipartisan legislation that would address data security and breach notification while giving states the ability to provide additional consumer protections.”

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