NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two Nashville Democrats in the Tennessee General Assembly have filed legislation they say will hold people accountable if they unlawfully interfere with the distribution of government benefits in the state.
Sen. Jeff Yarbro and Rep. Jason Powell filed the Shielding Tennesseans from Oligarchic Power & Eliminating Lawless Obstruction of Necessities Act, also known as the STOP ELON Act, on Thursday.
The bill would create criminal penalties as well as a private right to sue against any individual who obstructs or denies access to federal, state, or local government benefits, including Social Security payments, Medicare benefits, and other financial distributions.
According to a spokesperson for Senate Democrats, the legislation came about in response to reports that billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk had illegally access the U.S. Treasury Department’s federal payment system, potentially compromising sensitive financial information about millions of Americans.
“If Elon Musk illegally hurts Tennesseans, he should go to jail regardless of being a trillionaire or whatever and regardless of whether he’s got a permission slip from the president. Whether through malice or incompetence, if he unlawfully blocks our citizens from getting their Social Security checks or reimbursement from Medicaid or Medicare, his vase wealth should be on the table to compensate the people who get hurt,” Yarbro said. “We may not get bipartisan support his week while our more partisan colleagues are enjoying the sugar high of shuttering DEI programs and picking out vacation spots in Gaza, but you’ll see a bipartisan response materialize quick enough if the overreach of some 20-year-old leads to the closing of preschools, overdose prevention programs and rural hospitals.”
“Tennesseans who work hard and play by the rules should never have to worry about a billionaire meddling in their financial security,” Powell said. “People like Elon Musk need to understand that they are not invincible and the STOP ELON Act makes it crystal clear—no one is above the law. If you interfere with a person’s rightful benefits, you will be held accountable.”
According to Tennessee Democrats, if Musk’s interference with federal programs leads to Tennesseans being denied their benefits, the STOP ELON Act would ensure those affected have legal recourse through Tennessee courts.
Under the proposed law, individuals who obstruct lawful government payments to citizens or organizations would face criminal penalties in line with Tennessee’s theft statutes. The obstruction of benefits valued at $1,000 or less would be charged as a Class A misdemeanor with increasing penalties up to the obstruction of benefits valued at $250,000 or more, which would be charged as a Class A felony and carry significant prison time.
Tennesseans harmed by these actions to obstruct payments would also have a clear pathway to sue for damages in state courts if the law is passed.
