Rep. Lynn Westmoreland introduced a bill on the U.S. House floor this week aimed at regulating how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau handles consumer data.

The Georgia Republican explained the CFPB Data Collection Security Act is meant to address what he believes are important security flaws. The measure would institute five new elements, including:

—Create a consumer opt-out list for CFPB data collection.

—Limit the length of time that data can be held by the CFPB to 60 days after an investigation has been completed.

—Require the bureau to provide one free year of credit monitoring to consumers whose data is used for investigative purposes.

—Require the bureau to be run by a Senate-confirmed director.

—Form confidential security clearance for certain CFPB employees.

“Currently, the CFPB has access to your credit information and offers minimal transparency,” Westmoreland said. “It is highly concerning that they have access to collecting your data without your permission and have no time limit on keeping your information in their system. These CFPB employees can view your information, such as your Social Security and credit card numbers, but don’t have any security clearances.

“You also don’t have the option to request to be taken out of their system or for your information to be deleted from their system. The director of the CFPB, Richard Cordray, was appointed by President Obama and was a highly controversial recess appointment, similar to those brought before the Supreme Court to decide their legitimacy,” Westmoreland continued.

“The CFPB Data Collection Security Act is a simple bill to address a huge problem in protecting your information from not only internal abuse, but from hackers as well,” he went on to say. It improves the ability to know what they have and the right to have it removed from their system. As support for the CFPB Data Collection Security Act grows, I also hope it raises awareness to question the credibility of the CFPB and an examination of the bureau’s necessity.”

Six other House members joined Westmoreland in co-sponsoring the bill. That contingent included:

—Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota
—Rep. Kerry Bentivolio of Michigan
—Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin
—Rep. Billy Long of Missouri
—Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri
—Rep. Bill Posey of Florida