During a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on Wednesday, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) accused Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) of stalking her staff to collect vehicle information without permission.
The exchange occurred while questioning nominee Ryan McCormack about vehicle safety features. Moreno claimed that he gathered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) of his Democratic colleagues’ cars and discovered none of them purchased additional 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?” — Senator Bernie Moreno
When McCormack expressed surprise, Moreno added:
“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.”
Later in the hearing, Rosen requested unanimous consent to investigate how Moreno obtained the VINs, calling the action an invasion of privacy.
“VIN numbers are displayed on the windshield of the car,” Moreno explained.
Rosen pressed further, questioning whether Moreno inspected her car in Las Vegas.
“That is my staff's car,” Rosen responded when Moreno asked if she rides in a car while in Washington D.C.
A vehicle’s VIN is typically visible on the driver's side dashboard or inside the driver's side door frame, making it accessible without direct inspection inside the vehicle.
This incident highlights tensions over privacy rights and transparency among U.S. senators in a matter involving personal vehicle information.