Mike Bost in the 119th Congress. [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3575-H3576] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Official Congressional Record section title: Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act
Full text
FISCAL YEAR 2025 VETERANS AFFAIRS MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY AUTHORIZATION
ACT
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2393) to authorize a major medical facility project for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 2393
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans
Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act”.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR FISCAL YEAR
2026 IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.
(a) In General.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
carry out a major medical facility project in fiscal year
2026 in St. Louis, Missouri, that consists of the
construction of a new bed tower, clinical building expansion,
consolidated administrative building and warehouse, utility
plant, and parking garages, in an amount not to exceed
$1,762,668,000.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
fiscal year 2026 or the year in which funds are appropriated
for the Construction, Major Projects account, $1,762,668,000
for the project authorized in subsection (a).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on S. 2393.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2393, the Senate companion to my bill, H.R. 6710, the Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, offered by Senator Moran.
For veterans in southern Illinois, the St. Louis VA Medical Center is an essential part of the VA healthcare network.
S. 2393 authorizes up to $1.76 billion to modernize and expand the St. Louis VA, including new clinical space, a bed tower, and a dedicated mental health and substance abuse clinic.
would help ensure that the campus is prepared to meet the needs of veterans across the region for years to come.
patients, while the mental health and substance abuse clinic would strengthen access to important services for veterans and their families.
site work will also help the St. Louis VA operate more efficiently as a regional medical center.
makes high-quality care possible, from upgraded utilities and a central utility plant to improved parking, security entrances, water systems, administrative space, and service facilities.
and improve the overall experience for veterans, caregivers, providers, and staff.
looking investment in the veterans who depend on the St. Louis VA. This will help modernize care, improve access, and better serve veterans in my district and veterans across the country.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 2393, and I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1620
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2393, the Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act. Although the title says fiscal year 2025, this legislation will actually authorize funding for a major medical facility project in St. Louis, Missouri, for fiscal year 2026.
bipartisan, bicameral exercise this year. I
understand this project is critical for the veterans of St. Louis and will expand capacity through the addition of a new bed tower, a clinical building expansion, and the construction of several administrative and infrastructure updates.
infrastructure. While this project represents only a small fraction of the VA's overall infrastructure investment needs, this is an important project, and I am glad to support it today.
authorize a critical project for veterans, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 2393, the Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 2393.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed.