CHAIRMAN WALSH STATEMENT ON VETERAN SECURITY BREACH

(Washington D.C.)- Rep. Jim Walsh, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, issued the following statement regarding the compromised security of personal information for 26.5 million veterans and some spouses:

"VA Secretary Nicholson personally contacted me earlier today to inform me that the security of the personal information of some 26.5 million veterans and spouses has been compromised.  This is simply unacceptable.

"While the situation surrounding this security breech is still unfolding, I intend to ask the tough questions necessary to ensure that it does not happen again.  Every veteran deserves to know if and how he or she is impacted, exactly what personal information has been compromised, and what he or she can do to protect him or herself against the misuse of this information.  Furthermore, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal government ought to be held responsible for righting any wrongs that develop because of this breech.

"While I am supportive of various work arrangements that allow Federal employees to work from home to meet personal and family needs, absolute safeguards must be in place to guard against any potential misuse of personal information or government property. 

"I am considering how the MilQual / VA Subcommittee on Appropriations can best play a role in providing as much information as possible to affected veterans and their families, safeguarding personal information in the VA's possession, and enacting better security measures to restore public confidence in the Department. 

"Once additional facts become available, I will make a decision whether the Subcommittee will hold an oversight hearing on the matter."

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