OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Press Release - Smith-Backed Veterans Identity Theft Bill Passes House

Date: Sept. 26, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Veterans


Smith-Backed Veterans Identity Theft Bill Passes House

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Adam Smith applauded the passage of H.R. 5835, a bill to create a high-level position in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department to protect veterans data. The bill was drafted in response to the May theft of a VA laptop that held personally identifiable data on more than 26 million veterans. Smith cosponsored the legislation, which passed the House of Representatives today by voice vote.

"Veterans must be able to trust the VA to secure the information gathered during an appointment," Smith said. "I was disturbed by the VA's response during the May incident that exposed tens of millions of veterans to potential identity theft. This bill is a timely move to shore up the VA's security against similar breaches."

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http://www.house.gov/list/press/wa09_smith/morenews/092606vetsid.html

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