Federal Privacy Bill Could Override Stronger State Protections
The risk is not that the U.S. is getting a stronger privacy floor. It is that a weaker federal baseline could wipe out tougher state rules and leave consumers with fewer protections than they already have in many places.
House Republicans introduced the SECURE Data Act, a GOP-only privacy bill backed by top Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce and Financial Services committees. The bill would preempt at least 20 state laws and replace a tougher bipartisan draft from the last Congress.
That makes the fight about the floor, not the label. If this version advances, companies may face one national rule set, but it could be a lower bar than the state laws it displaces.