I would like to thank everyone for coming today.

Today’s hearing is an opportunity for the VA, Veteran Service Organizations and members of this subcommittee to discuss draft legislation dealing with Fiscal Year 2009 VA construction.

38 United States Code requires statutory authorization for all VA major medical facility construction projects over $10 million and all major medical facility leases more than $600,000 per year.  This hearing is a first step in this important process.

I would like to note that this draft legislation is based on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Fiscal Year 2009 budget request and reauthorizations from Fiscal Year 2008.  I consider this draft to be a starting point.  I look forward to hearing from the VA, the VSOs and members of the subcommittee about other construction projects that are important to them. 

I will take under consideration the discussion we have today and any input that may come up.  I will then introduce legislation in the very near future.