WASHINGTON – Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson got an endorsement yesterday from President Bush – and a summons to Capitol Hill – after the theft of veterans' personal information that has become one of the nation's largest security breaches.
Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are asking that Nicholson explain how his department handled the theft of sensitive personal data on 26.5 million veterans.
They have called the VA secretary to appear in two emergency hearings today in the House and Senate.
White House press secretary Tony Snow said Bush had “full faith and confidence” in Nicholson.
Sen. Patrick Leahy said Bush should call Nicholson “into the woodshed” and consider changing the leadership of the VA, particularly after the agency waited until May 22 to inform the public after the May 3 theft.
“Instead of promptly notifying millions of veterans that their personal data was irresponsibly handled and then stolen, VA officials held their breath and crossed their fingers for nearly three weeks,” said Leahy, D-Vt.
Sen. Larry Craig, chairman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, said he plans to ask Nicholson tough questions on timing, security procedures and who was involved when his panel holds its extraordinary joint hearing today with the Senate Homeland Security Committee
“Twenty-six million people deserve answers,” said Craig, R-Idaho.
