Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis). I support the underlying goal of the gentleman's amendment to acquire and construct long-term residential medical facilities for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury; however, this designation will jeopardize other important construction projects because it is offset by a decrease in what is called the minor projects construction account.

This would jeopardize an important project in my district at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Hospital. And if this amendment is adopted, it would hinder the expansion of McGuire's dialysis unit. This is an important project and will improve services that many veterans in the Richmond area need very desperately.

So I appreciate the gentleman's intent; however, I believe that circumventing the Veterans Affairs Department's construction priorities is an inappropriate way to achieve that goal. The Nation has promised our veterans access to quality health care services, and we owe them to ensure that those services are there.

So, Madam Chairman, I would urge the rejection of this amendment so that the underlying projects can go forward.

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