Social Security Privacy Act of 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 30, 1997

Social Security Privacy Act of 1997 - Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to prohibit any person from: (1) buying, selling, offering for sale, exchanging, pledging or giving in pledge, or requesting as a condition of entering into a contract, any information for the purpose of conveying by means of it any individual's social security number without the individual's written consent; or (2) utilizing any individual's social security number without his or her written consent. Provides that such prohibition shall not apply with respect to the last five digits of an individual's social security number.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Campbell, Tom [R-CA-15] · R–CA

Committees

Ways and Means Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 6, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
Sep 30, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Sep 30, 1997
Introduced in House
Sep 30, 1997
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Sep 30, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2581 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.2581, 105th Congress: Social Security Privacy Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr2581/BILLS-105hr2581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:11:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2581 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2581 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2581, 105th Congress: Social Security Privacy Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr2581/BILLS-105hr2581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:11:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2581 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2581 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2581, 105th Congress: Social Security Privacy Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr2581/BILLS-105hr2581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:11:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2581 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2581 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2581, 105th Congress: Social Security Privacy Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2581

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-09-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr2581/BILLS-105hr2581ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:11:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2581 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.