U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) today sent a letter to Social Security Administration Inspector General (IG) Patrick O’Carroll, Jr., Acting Social Security Commissioner Carolyn Colvin, and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano seeking specific answers about the extent of the federal government’s role in the transfer of sensitive personal data from driver’s licenses and conceal and carry permits from the Missouri Department of Revenue and Missouri State Highway Patrol to the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security.
 
Luetkemeyer, a former state representative who currently represents the 13 counties of the 3rd Congressional District, has been increasingly concerned in the last few weeks about conflicting reports exposing the state Revenue Department’s program to scan and save personally identifying documents and the transfer of those documents through the Missouri State Highway Patrol to federal authorities.

“This is very clearly a violation of one’s personal privacy, not to mention Missouri law, and I cannot adequately express to you my incredible concern over this request.  What is more concerning is that, according to reports, the Missouri Highway Patrol released a full list of Missourians holding concealed carry permits, numbering more than 185,000 individuals, to your office,” Luetkemeyer wrote in the letter to Inspector General O’Carroll; Acting Commissioner Colvin and Secretary Napolitano.

In his letter, Luetkemeyer asks 10 specific questions surrounding the release of the information by the Missouri Department of Revenue and noted that while he supports the IG’s overall mission, “…I take significant objection to the collection of personal information of Missourians and other Americans. I request a personal meeting with you as soon as possible so that you may clarify any actions taken by your office.”

Luetkemeyer also is seeking copies of all correspondence between agencies in the State of Missouri and Social Security Administration/Office of Inspector General (SSA/OIG) regarding the personal information that has been or will be shared between the State of Missouri and the federal government.

Luetkemeyer said he is prepared to work with state Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) and Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka), the Missouri General Assembly and other state and federal offices in pursuing the facts surrounding the Revenue Department’s and Highway Patrol’s actions.