Department of Veterans Affairs officials testified about charges the department had misled the public about the numbers of suicides committed by active duty personnel and veterans. Committee chairman Bob Filner accused the agency of criminal negligence in the handling of data about the number of veterans who have committed suicide of being more concerned about how data was interpreted than the health of veterans. Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake told panel members the agency is actively reaching out to veterans to encourage them to get help if they are at risk for suicide.