August 8, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) Sen. Larry Craig, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, today issued the following statement concerning Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson:

"It is clear that there is a systems problem with VA data security which must be fixed. Jim Nicholson and his staff have received that message from me, and they have received that message from other members of the committee. They are working hard to put systems in place so that incidents like these don't happen again.

"But calling for Secretary Nicholson's resignation is over the top. It does not and will not solve the problem.

"A computer was stolen from a private contractor's highly secured office building. I am fairly confident that Jim Nicholson did not break in and steal that computer. A criminal did. The FBI and local police are working to solve that crime and the contractor is working to provide a financial solution to ensure veterans are protected.

"We are in an election season, with several primaries being held today, so I don't think anyone is surprised that the leader of the Democrats is calling for the resignation of the former leader of the Republican Party."

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