[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22758]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    AUTHORIZING MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                 VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. 1717.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1717) to authorize major medical facility leases 
     for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2010, 
     and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today, with Ranking Member Richard Burr, I 
have introduced legislation that would authorize the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to proceed with certain medical facility leases for 
fiscal year 2010. These leases include facilities in nine different 
States, including South Carolina, Georgia, California, Alabama, 
Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kansas, Texas, and Florida.
  We are moving this bill at this time because I have been advised that 
VA can proceed with preliminary steps relating to these leases in 
advance of an appropriation, if authorization is in place. While I hope 
that the Senate will pass an appropriations bill for VA as soon as 
possible, this is something we can do today. I will soon introduce 
another bill to fully authorize VA's construction projects. In the 
meantime, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which will enable 
VA to secure the space it needs to care for veterans from all 
conflicts.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, there be no intervening action or debate, and any statements 
relating to the matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 1717) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, 
was read the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                S. 1717

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2010 MAJOR MEDICAL 
                   FACILITY LEASES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     carry out the following fiscal year 2010 major medical 
     facility leases at the locations specified, in an amount not 
     to exceed the amount shown for that location:
       (1) Anderson, South Carolina, Outpatient Clinic, in an 
     amount not to exceed $4,774,000.
       (2) Atlanta, Georgia, Specialty Care Clinic, in an amount 
     not to exceed $5,172,000.
       (3) Bakersfield, California, Community Based Outpatient 
     Clinic, in an amount not to exceed $3,464,000.
       (4) Birmingham, Alabama, Annex Clinic and Parking Garage, 
     in an amount not to exceed $6,279,000.
       (5) Butler, Pennsylvania, Health Care Center, in an amount 
     not to exceed $16,482,000.
       (6) Charlotte, North Carolina, Health Care Center, in an 
     amount not to exceed $30,457,000.
       (7) Fayetteville, North Carolina, Health Care Center, in an 
     amount not to exceed $23,487,000.
       (8) Huntsville, Alabama, Outpatient Clinic Expansion, in an 
     amount not to exceed $4,374,000.
       (9) Kansas City, Kansas, Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 
     in an amount not to exceed $4,418,000.
       (10) Loma Linda, California, Health Care Center, in an 
     amount not to exceed $31,154,000
       (11) McAllen, Texas, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount not to 
     exceed $4,444,000.
       (12) Monterey, California, Health Care Center, in an amount 
     not to exceed $11,628,000.
       (13) Montgomery, Alabama, Health Care Center, in an amount 
     not to exceed $9,943,000.
       (14) Tallahassee, Florida, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount 
     not to exceed $13,165,000.
       (15) Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Health Care Center, in 
     an amount not to exceed $26,986,000.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 
     fiscal year 2010 or the year in which funds are appropriated 
     for the Medical Facilities account $196,227,000 for the 
     leases authorized in subsection (a).

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