Legislation authorizing several new construction projects for the Veterans Affairs medical facilities passed in the U.S. Senate on Friday.
The legislation, Fiscal Year 2024 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jon Tester (D-MT), authorizes 11 VA construction projects in Washington, Texas, Maryland, Oregon, Nevada, California, Puerto Rico, Missouri, and Connecticut.
“I am pleased the Senate passed this legislation to allow VA to renovate older medical facilities and start construction on new facilities to meet veterans’ everchanging and increasing needs,” Moran said. “The VA Major Medical Facility Authorization Act will make certain VA can continue to bring high-quality services to veterans through new and updated VA medical centers and facilities around the country, and I urge the President to sign this bill into law.”
The legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA). Having already passed the House, the bill goes on to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“Delivering veterans the quality care and benefits they earned starts with ensuring VA has top-notch facilities in place to serve them,” Tester said. “Our bipartisan bill will deliver VA construction projects across the country, and I’m proud it will help expand veterans’ access to quality health care nationwide.”