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U.S.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE
ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE
ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS HONORABLE
TERRY EVERETT, CHAIRMAN HEARING
II ON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY (IT) PROGRAM September 21, 2000 Closing
Statement I
want to make a brief observation before I close this final IT
oversight hearing of the 106th Congress. For
this hearing, the VA did not send a single top leader or manager or
anyone else with the authority to actually make decisions about
information technology and carry them out. VA’s IT programs have been chaotic for a long time because
of weak leadership and management.
There has been some incremental improvement, but the department
has a long, long way to go. I
think the VA has had its chance and in the next Congress the
committees of jurisdiction should actively intervene in these programs
to straighten them out. It is time to move beyond oversight. This is an expression of “no confidence.”
I do not know how to make the message any clearer. Regarding
VA’s computer security, close Congressional oversight should
continue, and GAO and the VA IG should continue their reviews, to
include unannounced penetration testing. Members
will have five legislative days to submit questions and statements for
the record. This
hearing is adjourned. Back to Witness List |