Political Quotes

“I rise today in support of the CHIP IN for Vets Act. Lengthy delays and cost overruns have impeded construction of new health care facilities for our veterans, raising roadblocks between them and the quality health care they have earned. These delays and overruns have not only negatively impacted our veterans' access to care, but also our nation's confidence in their health care system. My legislation would create a 5-year pilot program that would allow communities to contribute real property toward on-time and on-budget construction projects. Partnerships between veterans, their local communities, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, will allow previously appropriated funds to be put to good use. Through five initial projects, community leaders and private sector experts can lead construction projects from start to finish and test a model that can be expanded into the future. State or local authorities, and specified non-federal entities, will be eligible to partner with the VA. Entities would comply with the Department of Veterans Affairs' standards, except to the extent the Secretary determines otherwise, as permitted by law. Eligible projects would be limited to those for which funding has already been appropriated, or those on the VA's long-term planning list. The VA's financial obligation for these projects would be limited to the amount previously appropriated.…”