Costa Calls for Congressional Action in Veterans' Identity Theft

WASHINGTON,DC - Insisting that "Congressmust act now," Representative Jim Costa (D-Fresno) gave remarks on the HouseFloor today in support of proposed legislation intended to deter identitytheft.

Rep. Costa was prompted to make his remarks as a result ofthe continuing revelations that the personal information of 26.5 millionAmerican Veterans and active military personnel had been stolen from theDepartment of Veterans Affairs.

Standing in support of our country's women and men inuniform, Costa stated, "This body and the American public should be outraged atthe continuing reports of theft of personal information of America'sfinest."

"The consequences of the VA's incompetence should not reston the backs of our Nation's men and women in uniform," the Fresno lawmaker declared. In support of this effort, Costa noted, "heis working with my colleagues to demand accountability and full disclosure bythe VA. Costa is also a co-sponsor oflegislation to provide veterans with credit monitoring services."

Costa has also joined with other House members to makecertain that, "Not one penny of the funding to pay for the VA's debacle isdiverted from veteran's healthcare or other sorely needed services."

Insisting that "This House must demand more of the VA thanits unacceptable response of hand wringing and wrist slapping," Costa closed byreminding the legislature that, "We owe our veterans and active militarypersonnel nothing less."

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