Rep. French Hill of Arkansas and Rep. Dan Goldman of New York introduced the Providing Resources and Oversight to Ensure Confidentiality of Those who serve (PROTECT) Act on Apr. 27, aiming to improve data security and prevent targeted threats against public officials. The legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and share best practices for protecting personally identifiable information (PII) of public servants at all levels of government.
The topic is significant as public servants have increasingly become targets for violence, doxxing, and harassment due to the exposure of personal data. The proposed act seeks to provide guidance that would help safeguard these individuals from such risks.
“Public servants sign up to better their country and communities. Unfortunately, more and more are becoming the targets of threats and harassment, and some have already been hurt, like my friend Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Others have been killed, as we saw in Minnesota with the horrific assassination of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,” Hill said.
He continued: “This past weekend, a would-be assassin targeted the president and administration officials. Yet while violence targeting politicians gets the most attention, this threat impacts public servants at every level, from local police officers and Border Patrol agents to county judges and game wardens. The PROTECT Act will give agencies at the state, local, and federal level the guidance they need to better protect the people who serve our communities.”
Goldman said: “In a time of rising political violence, bad actors are taking advantage of the wealth of online information to attack public figures. The bipartisan PROTECT Act will direct DHS to provide guidance to public servants across government agencies with best practices to protect themselves. Public servants should be able to serve those whom they represent while feeling safe and secure.”
Over recent years there have been several high-profile attacks against officials after their personal addresses were obtained through publicly available records or data leaks—including incidents involving House Majority Whip Steve Scalise in 2017; federal Judge Esther Salas in 2020; Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022; Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s family also in 2022; Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence was firebombed in 2025; as well as multiple fatal attacks on Minnesota legislators that same year.
Currently there is no standardized approach across government agencies for protecting this sensitive information—a gap which this bill intends to address by leveraging DHS expertise so all levels can access clear guidelines.
The act requires DHS guidance on handling PII for government personnel including recommended actions that officers or contractors can take for protection—guidance that applies across federal, state, local, territorial or tribal governments.
French Hill is currently serving in Congress representing Arkansas’ 2nd district after replacing Tim Griffin in 2015 according to congressional records. He has served continuously since then according to official sources. Born in Little Rock in 1956 where he still resides according to his biography, Hill graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1975.
