{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://carson.house.gov/newsroom/statements-for-the-record/opening-statement-for-oversight-hearing-on-va-leases-september-28", "Opening Statement for Oversight Hearing on VA Leases, September 28, 2016", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Statement of  the Honorable Andr\u00e8 Carson  Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management  House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\n\u00a0\n\u201cDepartment of Veterans Affairs Leases:\u00a0 Is the VA Over-Paying for Leased Medical Facilities?\u201d\nSeptember 28, 2016\nGood morning, and welcome to our hearing.\nToday we\u2019ll focus on the management of the Department of Veteran Affair\u2019s (VA) medical leasing program.\u00a0 First and foremost, I want to make clear my dedication to our nation\u2019s veterans. It is a top priority for all of us to ensure veterans receive high quality health care in VA medical facilities across the nation.\u00a0\nPrior to 2014, the VA used their own real estate authority to sign leases for medical facilities.\u00a0 However, the VA, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget, later determined that they did not have legal authority necessary to enter into multi-year leases.\u00a0\nThe VA now relies on the General Services Administration\u2019s (GSA) authority to execute these leases.\u00a0 In 2014, this Committee approved six prospectuses submitted by GSA on behalf of the VA.\u00a0 These six medical facility leases were the first of their kind to be approved by the Committee.\u00a0 Typically, these facilities include mental health clinics, readjustment-counseling centers, research and other types of clinical spaces.\u00a0 Because the VA is working with the GSA to execute these leases, they now come before this Committee for approval.\u00a0\nAlthough we approved the first six leases, Chairman Barletta and I, \u00a0and \u00a0members of the Veteran Affairs Committee, thought it was appropriate to request the Government Accountability Office (GAO) study the VA\u2019s choices \u00a0in managing its real property assets.\u00a0\nSpecifically, we asked GAO to help the Committee evaluate the VA\u2019s decision to lease or own these facilities, how the VA compares to private medical providers, and whether there are opportunities for savings.\nWe want to support the VA\u2019s efforts to provide essential health care to our country\u2019s veterans.\u00a0 It\u2019s also important that this Committee have some assurances that the VA is managing its real estate assets as efficiently as possible.\u00a0 Every dollar saved in a real estate transaction is a dollar that can be re-directed to supportive services for veterans, an important priority for every Member of Congress.\nI look forward to today\u2019s testimony from the VA, GSA and GAO on how this program is being managed and how improvements can be made going forward.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://carson.house.gov/newsroom/statements-for-the-record/opening-statement-for-oversight-hearing-on-va-leases-september-28"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6185750719159842, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}