WASHINGTON–Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) has introduced the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which he said is designed to prevent “unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) that would undermine Americans’ privacy. “
According to a statement from Emmer, who is House Majority Whip, the legislation is supported by 100 Republican cosponsors.

“If not designed to be open, permissionless, and private – resembling cash – a government-issued CBDC is nothing more than an Orwellian surveillance tool that would be used to erode the American way of life,”  Emmer said in a statement. “President Trump understands the dangers CBDCs present and has already issued an executive order prohibiting federal agencies from exploring one. Now, we must codify this executive order in law and permanently ban their development so a future administration cannot weaponize this technology against Americans.”

Emmer described  a CBDC as  a “government-controlled programmable money that, if designed without the privacy protections of cash, could give the federal government the ability to surveil Americans’ transactions and choke out politically unpopular activity.”

What Act Will Do
Specifically, Emmer said the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act:

• Prevents the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC directly to individuals, “ensuring the Fed cannot mobilize itself into a retail bank with the ability to collect personal financial data on Americans”
• Prohibits the Fed from indirectly issuing a CBDC to individuals through an intermediary or third party
• Prevents the Fed from using any form of CBDC as a tool to implement monetary policy.
• Ensures the Treasury Department cannot direct the Federal Reserve Bank to design, build, develop, establish, or issue a CBDC and requires explicit Congressional authorization to issue any CBDC.