Political Quotes

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2646, as amended, the Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act, would encompass the Department of Veterans Affairs' request for major medical facility projects and leases for fiscal year 2012 and extend certain expiring authorities. The bill before us today tracks with the resources that were provided in the appropriations bill that passed the House with bipartisan support. The VA provides high-quality medical care and services to our honored veterans through an extensive and diverse portfolio of medical facilities. This national infrastructure generates a great deal of costly construction and maintenance needs which the Department must address. Section 2 of the bill would authorize the appropriation of $87 million for seismic corrections and renovations at facilities in Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington. Section 3 of the bill would authorize the appropriation of $850 million to construct and modify medical facilities in Palo Alto, California; St. Louis, Missouri; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Orlando, Florida. Section 4 would authorize the appropriation of $50 million for leasing eight out-patient medical facilities in Columbus, Georgia; Salem, Oregon; Springfield, Missouri; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Mobile, Alabama; Rochester, New York; San Jose, California; and South Bend, Indiana.…”