Contact: Tyler Brown (202) 225-4215

Drake takes action to protect Veterans’ identities
Introduces legislation that will criminalize unauthorized disclosure of Veterans’ sensitive personal information

	Rep. Drake engages with U.S. veterans

Washington, May 25 - Congresswoman Thelma Drake (R-VA) has introduced legislation that will make it a federal crime for officials at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to negligently or maliciously disclose the sensitive personal information of our nation’s veterans. The Veterans Identity Security Act comes on the heels of reports that the identifying information of nearly 27 million veterans had been compromised following a burglary at the home of a VA official who had violated department policy by taking the information home.

“I, along with thousands of veterans living in the Hampton Roads region, was outraged to read this week that the sensitive personal information of millions of veterans had been compromised due to a failure at the Department of Veterans Affairs," said Rep. Drake.  "This kind of gross negligence goes beyond a violation in office policy and is, in my opinion, criminal. This bill holds those who compromise our veterans’ security to a legal standard comparable to those who would compromise our national security.”

Today, with the permission of Chairman Steve Buyer, Rep. Drake participated as a guest in the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s hearing to investigate this breach in security. Rep. Drake was particularly disturbed by the revelation that the VA had delayed two weeks before notifying the Justice Department that the crime had occurred.

“By wearing the uniform of the United States military, our veterans displayed honor and courage in protecting our security. But when it came to securing some of their most vital personal information, the VA failed. In cases of identity crime, time is of the essence and a two week delay before notifying the Justice Department that a crime had been committed is unacceptable. Now, more than ever it is important that Congress fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide oversight and take action. When we say ‘we support our troops’, it shouldn’t be limited to today’s active duty personnel," continued Rep. Drake.

Concerned veterans can get more information by visiting Rep. Thelma Drake’s website at www.drake.house.gov/specialfeatures/vetdata.htm or by visiting the Department of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov/opa.