The House passed, by unanimous consent, legislation to allow work on the Department of Veterans Affairs Denver Hospital Project to continue for several more weeks. , introduced by Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), increases funding for the project by $100 million. The Senate is expected to pass this legislation before adjourning for the Memorial Day recess. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently found that the project will cost about , $1.1 billion more than the initial cost estimate.
The temporary extension passed its House vote shortly after 黑料不打烊 to House Speaker John Boehner urging him to pass a short-term extension of funding for the project. In its letter, 黑料不打烊 noted that, without question, the Veterans Administration has mismanaged this project to the detriment of veterans and the American taxpayers. However, a framework is in place that will allow construction on the project to continue with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers acting as the construction manager. This framework should be given the opportunity to succeed before Congress walks away from a $600 million investment, 黑料不打烊 urged. 黑料不打烊 also noted that the short-term extension will provide Congress time to consider long-term reforms to the VA construction program.
黑料不打烊 met with VA Secretary Robert McDonald last month to discuss 黑料不打烊鈥檚 concerns with the agency鈥檚 construction program. 黑料不打烊 has called for of the VA construction program and continues to meet with members of Congress on this important issue.
For more information, please contact Jimmy Christianson at christiansonj@agc.org or (703)-837-5325.