Legislation To Fund Calif. VA Clinics Put On Hold Over Political Spat About Benefits
The halt in consideration of the bill throws into limbo plans to build outpatient clinics in the California cities of Alameda, Oxnard and Santa Rosa; to increase earthquake protections to buildings in Long Beach, Los Angeles and San Francisco; to construct a research facility in Mission Bay; and to realign medical facilities in Livermore.
The Fresno Bee:
California VA Construction Plans On Hold In Battle Over Benefits
A political spat over veterans’ benefits has prompted a powerful committee chairman to put a hold on legislation that would have authorized $866 million worth of construction at several Veterans Affairs medical facilities in California. Rep. Jeff Miller, the Chumuckla, Fla., Republican who chairs the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, postponed discussion of the bill last week after veterans advocacy groups began complaining to lawmakers that the bill would result in a reduction in cost-of-living benefits for veterans. (Ybarra, 5/31)