Rep. Mike Coffman (AP Photo/FILE)
U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman’s bill aimed at speeding construction and reining in costs at three major Veterans Affairs hospital construction projects — including one in Aurora — won approval Wednesday from the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. A spokesman says a vote by the full House is likely next week.
The bill, , is the culmination of efforts by Coffman and others to scrutinize massive cost overruns averaging $300 million on the Aurora hospital project and several others.
If approved by Congress, the bipartisan bill would require the appointment of emergency managers from the Army Corps of Engineers to provide independent oversight of each of three projects, also including hospitals in New Orleans and Orlando. The corps has a better track record of keeping costs in check. Another provision focuses on streamlining the change-order process.
“Today we are one step closer to ensuring that the VA has proper oversight and expertise guiding the management and completion of the Aurora VA Medical Center and other major VA hospital construction projects,” Coffman said in a news release. The Republican is seeking re-election this year against Democratic challenger Andrew Romanoff.
