CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR INTRODUCES VETERANS' IDENTITY PROTECTION ACT OF 2006

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WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John T. Salazar, the only veteran from the Colorado delegation, last night introduced the “Veterans Identity Protection Act of 2006” (H.R. 5455), legislation aimed at helping veterans whose personal data was stolen from the home of a VA employee earlier this month. 

“This Administration has clearly failed in its duty to protect those who have protected us,” said Salazar. “Entire lifetimes of saving money and good work can now be devastated in an instant because of the VA’s careless handling of personal information. And by not informing anyone of the breach for nearly a month, the VA squandered critical damage control time. 

“This Administration owes far more than a sincere apology to our veterans for its cover up and careless handling of security. A full investigation is needed and the people in charge must be held accountable. But more immediately, we cannot allow our veterans to suffer while the government sorts out its mistakes. Veterans should not have to pay for identity theft - the least the government can do is cover the cost for veteran’s to monitor their credit.”

Salazar’s legislation calls on the VA to:
• Provide one year of free credit monitoring to affected individuals.
• Provide one free credit report each year for two years after the end of credit monitoring, in addition to the free credit report available under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
• Authorize $1.25 billion in emergency funds for the first year of implementation.

A Member of the House Veteran’s Affairs Committee, Salazar will also be participating in hearings this week to hold the VA accountable for its careless handling of security and to gain an honest accounting of the current situation.