West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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I rise in support of H.R. 5936. This legislation would provide a model for how VA campuses can provide services to homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness.

It would authorize VA to carry out certain leases on the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System West L.A. Medical Center Campus, and would prohibit VA from entering into any land-sharing agreements unless the agreements provide additional healthcare resources and also benefit veterans and their families in ways other than generating additional revenue.

Mr. Speaker, there is a long history here with the West L.A. Campus. Without going into too much detail, this provision would ensure that the VA West L.A. Campus is used for the betterment of veterans, the original intent of the legacy when the land was donated decades ago. It is an important step forward for the veterans community in southern California.

I would like to thank the chairman for introducing this bill and Representative Ted Lieu of California for his hard work.

I strongly support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5936, as amended. And I want to express, again, my deep appreciation in working with the majority to get this bill done. It is really important to those of us in southern California, and I cannot overstate how much this means to the veterans community in California.

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