[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FISCHER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 3364. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
carry out a pilot program to accept the donation of facilities and 
related improvements for use by the Department of Veterans Affairs; to 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, 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. The VA would select the project and community 
partner, but it would not influence, control, or be involved with 
either the management or construction of these projects. The Secretary 
would include information regarding real property and improvements 
donated under this legislation in the budget submitted to Congress. The 
Comptroller General would also submit to Congress a report on the 
donation agreements entered into under this legislation not less 
frequently than once every 2 years until its termination.
  A significant amount of work went into revising this bill. I very 
much appreciate the support of Senator Feinstein, who serves as lead 
cosponsor. Chairmen Isakson and Alexander are supportive of this 
legislation. They, and the members of their staff, have been 
extraordinarily helpful through this process. The Department of 
Veterans Affairs staff has also been actively involved in the crafting 
of this legislation. They fully support it. The Congressional Budget 
Office has stated this bill would have an ``insignificant impact on 
direct spending,'' or less than $500,000 total.
  For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this common sense, 
bipartisan legislation. Thank you.

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