REP. BANKS INTRODUCES PAIR OF VETERANS BILLS TO SAFEGUARD TAXPAYER DOLLARS, CLOSE GI BILL LOOPHOLE

Statement

Today, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Member Rep. Jim Banks introduced two veterans-related bills to safeguard taxpayer dollars and close an unintentional loophole that prevents some veterans from receiving a GI Bill refund.

Said Rep. Banks: "Congress has a responsibility to taxpayers to determine whether VA's construction management has improved before potentially providing billions more in taxpayer dollars, and we have a responsibility to veterans to ensure they get the educational benefits that they've earned and are entitled to under federal law.

When we return to Washington after this Veterans' Day, Congress should vote on both these bills and show we are still capable of bipartisan, commonsense lawmaking."

Background, VA Construction Management Improvement Act of 2021: The last four medical centers built by VA took an average of 10 ½ years to complete and all were significantly over budget. At the same time, VA projects its capital needs over the next decade at more than $62 billion. The Department operates more than 5,000 buildings spanning over 16 million feet, and the average VA medical facility is 60 years old. New construction is needed, but only if it is managed effectively and responsibly so the dollars invested will produce the modern facilities that veterans deserve.

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