NOT SHOVEL READY
Nearly one year after a new VA secretary vowed to clean up a broken health care system for America's veterans, a vital new hospital hangs in the balance as lawmakers and the agency fight over how to pay for it.
The dispute came to a head this week as construction on the medical center in Aurora, Colo., was poised to grind to a halt Sunday without congressional approval for more spending beyond the current $800 million.
On Friday, it appeared both sides had found a stopgap solution. After what one aide called grueling discussions between lawmakers and the VA, the House was able to pass a temporary fix that would keep things moving -- for three more weeks. The Senate is expected to pass a similar agreement on Friday, sources tell FoxNews.com.
But for a project whose estimated costs have ballooned to $1.73 billion, the funding Band-Aid does not solve the long-term issue.
"This is by no means a solution to the problems in Denver, which VA leaders created and are refusing to take responsibility for," said Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. "Rather it is a last-chance effort to convince VA and Obama administration leaders to take the department's problems seriously."
