House Approves Bill Authorizing Construction for VA Health Facilities

The House on Wednesday approved by voice vote a bill (HR 5815) that would authorize $2.4 billion in funding for the construction and renovation of several Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities in fiscal years 2006 and 2007, CQ Today reports. The House bill, sponsored by Rep. Henry Brown (R-S.C.), would authorize the reconstruction of VA medical facilities in Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans that both were affected by Hurricane Katrina. The bill also would authorize $406 million for a new facility in Las Vegas; $378 million for a site in Orlando, Fla.; $70 million to reconstruct a facility in Charleston, S.C.; and $98 million to purchase a site in Denver. The bill also would create a position to oversee the projects. A Senate version of the bill (S 3421) would not authorize funds for the Charleston project or the Denver project. The House bill does not include a provision in the Senate bill that would authorize $15 million in improvements for the VA hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Yoest, CQ Today, 9/13).