Overview
- At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Transportation Department nominees, Sen. Bernie Moreno said he collected the vehicle identification numbers of Democratic colleagues’ cars.
- Moreno argued the VIN checks showed Democrats did not buy optional driver-assistance technologies despite supporting mandates for such features.
- Sen. Jacky Rosen called the conduct an invasion of privacy, said she does not have a car in Washington, and noted that staff use their own vehicles to drive her.
- Moreno defended the practice by saying VINs are visible from outside the car, and his communications director said he used information available to the public.
- The exchange escalated into a dispute over the ongoing government shutdown, with Moreno criticizing lawmakers’ pay and Rosen saying she is donating hers, and no formal committee action has been reported.