The proposed upgrades were introduced by Sen. Jon Tester, who is also chair of the Veterans Affairs committee.
Among the project list included in the bipartisan-sponsored bill are:
- American Lake, Wash.: Construction of a new special care building, renovations to older buildings, and development of more parking spaces, with a proposed budget of $155,600,000.
- Dallas, Texas: Expansion of space for mental healthcare and additional parking, and purchase of land, with a proposed budget of $528,400,000.
- El Paso, Texas: Construction of a new health care center and related utility plant, with a proposed budget of $759,200,000.
- Perry Point, Md.: Renovation and replacement of an outdated living center for veterans and creation of more parking spaces, with a proposed budget of $274,310,000.
- Portland, Ore.: Renovation of two buildings to them up to current safety standards, retrofit them for earthquake safety, construction of a new special care facility, and creation of parking spaces, with a proposed budget of $613,000,000.
- Reno, Nev.: Replacement of an outdated medical center, addition of land, and site prep for the construction, with a proposed budget of $223,800,000.
- San Diego, Calif.: Construction of a new spinal cord injury center, renovation of an old building, upgrading of utilities, and addition of parking spaces, with a proposed budget of $311,700,000.
- San Francisco, Calif.: Construction of a new research facility, construction of a parking structure, and removal of old building structures, with a proposed budget of $264,500,000.
- San Juan, Puerto Rico: Renovation of current facilities to make them safer, construction of a new administrative building, and expansion of the outpatient clinic as well as parking space, with a proposed budget of $370,370,000.
- St. Louis, Mo.: Replacement of an outdated bed tower, expansion of clinical buildings, consolidation of others, and construction of new utility plants and parking garages, with a proposed budget of $599,840,000.
- West Haven, Conn.: Construction of a new surgical and clinical space tower, renovations to old buildings, and demolition of others, with a proposed budget of $502,409,000.
The bill requires passage from the VA committee to move forward and seek passage from both the Senate and House.
