Washington, DC – The Colorado Congressional delegation today welcomed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s pledge to work with the delegation to schedule a field hearing and site visit to the Aurora VA Hospital. The delegation sent a bipartisan letter to the committee’s chairman, Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and ranking member, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), last month requesting the visit to look into the mismanagement that has delayed construction of the facility.
“We appreciate the committee’s willingness to come to Colorado and devote time and attention to this project,” Bennet said. “Our veterans have waited long enough for the facility they were promised and have earned. And, workers at the site need certainty that construction won’t be halted. The visit and field hearing will help us hold the VA accountable, impress upon the committee the urgent need to finish construction, and build support in Congress for approval of the steps necessary to do so.”
“I’m pleased that the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is recognizing the seriousness of the issues facing the Eastern Colorado Health Care System Replacement Facility (Denver Replacement Facility),” Gardner said. “Our veterans deserve the absolute best care that we can provide, and it’s critically important that the Senators with oversight of the VA come to Colorado to see how veterans are being harmed by the terrible mismanagement of this project. From there, we can all work towards a solution that provides every resource needed by the men and women who have served our country so bravely.”
“Of all of the issues and challenges facing the VA, the mess at the Aurora facility has stood out, and I am glad that the Colorado Congressional delegation’s joint efforts are getting the attention we seek,” DeGette said. “This hearing will shine an additional spotlight on what has gone wrong, and we must continue to work together so that everyone understands the full scope of this problem and buys into the best solution to fix it.”
“I appreciate the decision by the SVAC and thank you to all of my colleagues in the Colorado delegation for participating in this important effort,” Lamborn said. “This field hearing will be an important step toward ensuring that our brave veterans receive the care that they have earned.”
“I’m pleased the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee is moving forward with a site visit to the Aurora VA hospital,” said Rep. Perlmutter. “This is an important step to fully fund and complete the project as quickly and efficiently as possible to serve the veterans across the Rocky Mountain region.”
“I am glad the Senate is finally taking action on this critical issue,” said Rep. Mike Coffman, a Marine Corps combat veteran and Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. “Our veterans deserve a 21st century hospital and our taxpayers deserve a VA that is better stewards of their hard earned tax dollars. We need action on this hospital and I am encouraged to see more involvement from the Senate.”
“Our veterans in Colorado have waited far too long as the VA has worked through bureaucratic issues and construction disputes over the past several years,” said Rep. Jared Polis. “This Senate Veterans Affairs Committee field hearing and site visit will shine a light on the need to complete this project promptly so that the Coloradans who put their lives on the line for us have access to the facilities and care they deserve.”
“With delays, significant cost overruns, and mismanagement par for the course on this project, if ever there was a need for a Congressional oversight hearing, this is it. Veterans deserve better than the continued issues plaguing the Denver Replacement Facility,” said Tipton. “I look forward to working with my Colorado colleagues, Chairman Isakson and Ranking Member Blumenthal to get construction on track and advance further needed reforms to prevent similar problems from happening in the future with VA construction programs.”
“The problems plaguing the construction of the Denver Replacement Facility merit congressional oversight. Projects of this kind should be completed in a timely and fiscally responsible manner,” said Congressman Buck. “I’m glad Sens. Bennet and Gardner have taken a proactive role in ensuring the mismanagement of the project is addressed moving forward.”
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