This Legislation Would Protect Veteran’s Personal And Medical Information Stored By The Department Of Veterans Affairs
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) announced that their Strengthening VA Cybersecurity Act passed the Senate last night, after previously passing the House, and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. This bipartisan legislation will protect veterans’ personal information by requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to obtain an independent cybersecurity assessment of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) information systems, and submit to Congress a plan to address the cybersecurity weaknesses found in the assessment. This bill has been endorsed by AMVETS and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
“We must do everything we can to protect our veterans’ personal information and medical records,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m glad Congress has passed our bipartisan legislation to protect the sensitive data for veterans across Nevada and our country, and I look forward to it becoming law soon. ”
“The VA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care to millions of veterans. But a lack of key preparedness and inadequate budget management in cybersecurity has left many of our veterans vulnerable to malicious cyberattacks,” said Senator Blackburn. “This bipartisan legislation is a critical component of the VA’s modernization and security enhancement, and I’m pleased it’s headed to the President’s desk.”
“VA is the largest integrated health care network in the United States and it provides care and benefits to millions of veterans,” said Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of Government Relations at Paralyzed Veterans of America. “A greater percentage of veterans’ personal and medical information has been digitalized in recent years and we hope this bill will help keep their information safer.”
Senator Rosen is committed to fighting for our nation’s veterans and ensuring they have access to the care they deserve. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen helped pass the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act into law, which will extend Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and health care to all veterans suffering from illnesses as a result of exposure to burn pits and other toxins during their service.
Senator Rosen has also introduced numerous bipartisan bills to support Nevada’s veterans, including legislation to invest in veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention efforts, help veterans start small businesses in underserved communities, and establish and improve Student Veteran Centers at colleges and universities.
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