VA Worker Had OK for Data Later Stolen

Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., left, and James Walsh, R-N.Y. talk on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, June 27, 2006 during a House hearing to discuss the Veterans Administration's data theft. Rep. Walsh chastised the VA for waiting three weeks to notify veterans about the theft, saying "This represents a significant lapse of time that could have been vital to protect identity theft,".(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson) (Lawrence Jackson - AP)

_$29 million from VA.

Some Democrats said money to pay for veterans' protection should not come at the expense of other programs.

"It's outrageous to first expose millions of Americans to credit fraud and identity theft and then to try to cut food stamps, student loans, and youth programs to pay for it," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "This is a new problem that needs to be solved with new money."

Nicholson told lawmakers this week that the money would cover monitoring for about half of the 17.5 million people whose Social Security numbers were compromised. He said it also would pay for out-of-pocket expenses ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for those whose identities are stolen.

No identity theft has been reported in connection with the computer theft.

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On the Net:

Info for veterans suspecting identity theft: http://www.firstgov.gov or 1-800-FED-INFO