Dianne Feinstein: “I rise today to weigh in on the provisions included in the VA-HUD conference report regarding the health care needs of…”

“I rise today to weigh in on the provisions included in the VA-HUD conference report regarding the health care needs of Northern California's veterans. The conference report provides a total of $70.8 million for renovations to the existing McClellan Air Force Hospital at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, as well as for outpatient clinics in Fairfield, Mare Island, Martinez, Auburn, Chico, Eureka, and Merced. While I applaud this much-needed expansion of services in Northern California, I remain deeply disappointed by Congress' decision not to build a veterans hospital at Travis Air Force Base. Since 1991, veterans in Northern California have been waiting for a new hospital to replace the Martinez hospital, which was closed for seismic reasons. I made a commitment with Vice President Gore to help bring a full veterans hospital to Fairfield, and I have been fighting for 4 years to get this project fully funded. Two previous Congresses appropriated funding to construct the Travis VA Hospital. Now, unfortunately, we are turning our back on that commitment. It is truly a sad day when the men and women who have served our country without question--and who have the right to expect their government to fulfill its promises--are simply told 'tough luck.' The fact is that a clear majority in Congress oppose the hospital's construction.”