Senator Murray Speaks in Support of Walla Walla VA Medical Center at Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing

Press Release

Senator Murray Speaks in Support of Walla Walla VA Medical Center at Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing

Senator Murray continues to fight for Washington state veterans, discusses the importance of authorizing construction for the Walla Walla VA Medical Facility

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, spoke in support of the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla at a Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing examining legislation that would authorize construction of a new outpatient clinic at the facility. The VA approved funding for the design and construction of the clinic last November, and Senator Murray is now working to ensure that authorization for the program passes through the committee and into law.

Senator Murray has worked since 2003 to save the Walla Walla VA Medical Center and to ensure that it has a future. She successfully fought for VA approval of the $71.4 million to design and construct a new outpatient clinic for Walla Walla area veterans.

"Thousands of Washington state veterans depend on the Walla Walla VA, and it's up to us to make sure we keep our promise to those veterans by keeping this facility open and thriving," said Senator Patty Murray. "We have come a long way since the VA proposed shutting the Walla Walla facility down, but after more than five years of uncertainty for Walla Walla area veterans, they deserve to see this bill pass."

The VA has already started work on this important project, and this legislation will authorize the construction of a 65,000 square foot outpatient clinic that will be located on the campus of the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center. The clinic will serve nearly 70,000 area veterans.

Senator Murray has taken multiple steps to save the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla from closure and to support the construction of the outpatient clinic.

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