Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed four veterans related bills:

• H.R. 3593, as amended, (Introduced by Rep. Mike Coffman) would direct the inclusion of an outside entity – the Army Corps of Engineers – to assist in the management of VA’s major facility construction efforts. 
• H.R. 5404, as amended, (Introduced by Rep. Jeff Denham) would extend a number of expiring current authorities and critical programs at both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor.
• H.R. 4276, as amended, (Introduced by Rep. Bill Cassidy) would require VA to provide reports to Congress on the pilot program for assisted living services for veterans with traumatic brain injury.
• S. 2258, (Introduced by Senator Mark Begich) would authorize a cost-of-living adjustment for disabled veterans receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs and other compensation for survivors of veterans who have died as a result of their service to our country. 

H.R. 3593, 5404, 4276, now await consideration by the Senate, and S. 2258 will be sent to the president to be signed into law. Following House passage of the bills, Chairman Miller released the below statement:

“Congress has once again found common ground in support of our Nation’s heroes. If signed into law, these four bills would have a lasting impact on the way VA operates and on the lives of many veterans. I am especially proud of passage of the urgently needed VA Construction Assistance Act. It is no secret that VA has a horrible track record in managing major construction projects. VA construction projects are routinely completed years late and millions over budget, while VA construction officials escape accountability at every turn. Congressman Coffman’s legislation will add a crucial level of oversight for VA in completing major construction projects, helping ensure both veterans and taxpayers are better served. I thank my Senate colleagues for their work on S. 2258, and I urge them to quickly pass H.R. 3593, H.R. 5404, and H.R. 4276.” – Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs