Washington, D.C. – Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) teamed up with Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO) and announced today that they will be introducing bills this week in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives to finish building the Aurora Veteran’s Affairs Hospital.
The Aurora VA Hospital Financing and Construction Reform Act of 2015 would serve two primary purposes. First, it would authorize the funding required to see this project through to completion. Second, it would transfer the contract management of the project to the Army Corps of Engineers, which would allow for more careful oversight of the project by federal officials.
“We’re introducing this bill to put the tools and resources in place when the Army Corps of Engineers, Kiewit-Turner, and the VA finalize an agreement on the cost and completion of the VA medical center,” Bennet said. “We can’t afford any further delays. We won’t relent until this hospital is completed.”
“The United States has no greater responsibility than taking care of those who have served our country,” Gardner said. “This Veterans Affairs Hospital in Aurora is absolutely essential for Colorado veterans, and I’m proud to work with Congressman Coffman and Senator Bennet on getting this project done. Importantly, this bill also contains strong oversight provisions with strict reporting requirements which will help contain costs and ensure building happens on schedule. Passing this legislation will also help ensure that progress on the facility which has already been made is not lost.”
“We cannot erase the unforgivable errors that have already been committed by the VA, but we can fire the VA and bring in competent managers to get this critical hospital built,” said Coffman. “We owe it to Colorado’s veterans, taxpayers and the 1,400 construction workers to ensure this project is completed as quickly and cost effectively as possible going forward.”
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