U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) plans to introduce legislation that would put the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the helm of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' construction projects, according to a Fox News report.
The VA has admitted to mismanaging various construction projects, including construction of a new VA hospital in Aurora, Colo., which is within Rep. Coffman's district, according to the report.
Earlier in December, it was determined the VA breached its contract with contractor Kiewit-Turner, according to The Wall Street Journal. Construction of the hospital recently began again due to an interim agreement between the VA and Kiewit-Turner.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now overseeing the project, which is over budget and behind schedule. Kiewit-Turner has assessed that the project can't be completed for less than $1 billion, according to the Fox News report.
VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson told Fox News the VA can fund the project for a few months, but Congress will have to come up with more funds in order for it to be completed.
Under Rep. Coffman's legislation, the current $800 million spending cap would be lifted, and the VA would be required to transfer authority over all its construction projects to the Army Corps of Engineers, according to the Fox News report.
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