Nevada's Rosen Accuses Senator Moreno of Stalking Staff to Collect Car Info
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) accused Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) of stalking her staff after he revealed collecting vehicle identification numbers (VINs) from Democratic colleagues' cars during a Senate hearing.
Senate Hearing Incident
At a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on transportation nominees, Moreno stated that he obtained the VINs from his Democratic colleagues' vehicles. He said this to question their decision not to buy additional vehicle safety technologies.
"Would it surprise you that I got the VIN numbers of every one of my Democrat colleagues' vehicles and found that none of them bought any of the additional safety technologies on their cars?" — Bernie Moreno
Nominee Ryan McCormack responded, "I did not know that, Senator."
"So, when you are actually shopping for a car with your own money, you don't buy the technology, but we're sitting here saying that this should be mandated for everybody else's cars." — Bernie Moreno
Rosen's Concerns About Privacy
Later in the hearing, Senator Rosen requested unanimous consent to investigate how Moreno acquired the VINs, expressing concern about her and her staff's privacy.
"VIN numbers are displayed on the windshield of the car," Moreno replied.
The VIN is typically visible on the driver's side dashboard or on a sticker inside the driver's door. Rosen asked Moreno if he had inspected her car in Las Vegas, to which Moreno countered by asking if she traveled by car in Washington, D.C.
Rosen clarified, "That is my staff's car."
Summary
This incident highlights tensions around privacy and personal surveillance within the Senate, sparked by Moreno's collection of colleagues' vehicle information without their consent.
Author’s note: The episode reveals growing concerns about privacy and boundaries even among lawmakers.