A spokesperson for the House Financial Services Committee wouldnot say if the committee plans to examine the Target data breach,which has affected more than 70 million Americans.

Credit Union Times asked David Popp, committeecommunications director for Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), ifthe key House committee plans to call someone from Target totestify at a hearing about the breach. Democratic members of thecommittee asked Hensarling Jan.10 to hold a full committee hearing on the breach.

Popp responded with a statement from Hensarling that mentionsthe committee's intent to hold future data security hearings.

“Americans have a right to expect that the personal informationthey turn over to private companies and government agencies will beprotected and kept secure from loss, unauthorized access or misuse.This is increasingly important as more companies and moregovernment agencies in Washington such as the Consumer FinancialProtection Bureau and the Office of Financial Research collect andstockpile massive amounts of private, confidential informationabout Americans,” Hensarling said in the statement.

The statement also said the committee has held, and willcontinue to hold, hearings on the security of information collectedby federal agencies and financial institutions. Hensarling alsosaid the committee will keep pressing for accountability among allentities that collect personal consumer data.

When asked again if any upcoming data security hearings wouldspecifically investigate the Target breach, Popp did notrespond.

Both NAFCU and CUNA have written letters to the House and Senateleadership requesting hearings on the Target securitysituation.