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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi: Comprehensive Legislation Is Necessary to Protect Veterans From Identity Theft
Washington, D.C. – House
“Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs has finally taken pro-active action to protect the 26.5 million veterans and military personnel whose private information has been compromised due to the Bush Administration’s incompetence.
“One year of free credit monitoring is a necessary first step, but it must be followed by a much more comprehensive approach. Democrats, led by Congressmen John Salazar and Lane Evans, have introduced the Comprehensive Veterans' Data Protection and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2006 (H.R. 5588) to protect the personal information of our veterans.
“Thiscomprehensive legislation would protect veterans from identity theft and other harm, with a year of free credit monitoring, an additional free credit report in the second and third years, one year of free fraud alert, and a free credit security freeze. It would also create an Ombudsman for Data Security at the VA charged with assisting veterans who are the victims of a data breach and/or identity theft.
“We must also ensure that our veterans’ health care services and their earned benefits are not cut in order to pay for the Bush Administration’s incompetence. Democrats have called on the President to provide emergency funding to pay for any credit reporting assistance. These funds must not come from previously appropriated or budgeted dollars for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our veterans should not suffer because of this egregious mistake.”
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
