In recent weeks, we’ve seen a series of disconcerting items about the widespread data-security breach now encompassing nearly all active-duty military, Guard, and Reserve members, and millions of veterans. While Bush’s Veteran Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson initially said personal information for 50,000 military personnel was stolen in May, it turns out the theft affected over 17 million veterans.
Congressional Democrats immediately called on the White House to request emergency funds to provide free credit monitoring for those who are now at risk for identity theft. The administration did respond — but, as usual, the Bush gang came up short.
Two Senate Democrats on Wednesday criticized a White House plan to cut money intended for food stamps, student loans and farmers to pay for credit monitoring for veterans whose personal and financial data was stolen last month.
“The Bush-Cheney administration has no qualms about coming up here and twisting our arms for funding for Iraq, but when it comes to needs here at home for veterans and other ordinary Americans, it’s rob Peter to pay Paul,” said Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont.
Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, said, “It’s outrageous to first expose millions of Americans to credit fraud and identity theft, and then try to cut food stamps, student loans and youth programs to pay for it.”
“This is about taking responsibility when you mess up,” Ms. Murray added. “That’s something even little kids understand.”
Pat Leahy called the theft and the response to it “the most amazing incompetence” he had seen in 30 years in Congress. Given the details, it’s hard to disagree.
It was bad enough Bush’s VA was so careless with the information. It was worse when the administration hasn’t quite sure what it had lost, even a month later.
But this response on veterans’ behalf is truly amazing. The Bush administration is willing to pay for a year of free credit monitoring, but to pay for it, officials wanted to take money from accounts that pay for veterans’ health care. When Dems shamed them into backing down, the Bush gang said it’d instead pay for the monitoring by taking money from job training, student loans, and a farmers’ assistance program.
Ms. Murray said the problem was “a new disaster” and “deserves new money.” She added, “This is truly an emergency.” […]
Senator Murray said, “This administration doesn’t get it.”
It never does.