Congressman DeSantis calls Department of Veterans Affairs on carpet

Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, announced eagerly awaited word to Historic City News that he will convene a hearing to conduct oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs major lease procurement procedures.

This hearing will examine the management of these projects and highlight specific incidents where lease procurement has been delayed, notably at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in St. Augustine.

“When new or replacement VA facilities are held up due to mismanagement and bureaucratic delays, we are doing a disservice to the veterans who rely on the VA for vital health care services,” DeSantis told local reporters. “I have seen this on display first-hand in the VA’s difficulties in finding a permanent solution for a replacement clinic in my district, creating uncertainty for the more than 5,000 veterans it serves.”

Most major lease projects for replacement or new VA medical facilities have experienced significant delays at excessive costs to taxpayers — here in St Johns County, they are paying $55,000 monthly due to the holdover.

This hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 25th at 2:00 PM in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Further details on witnesses to come.

DeSantis told Historic City News, “It is my hope that this hearing will shed much needed light on the VA’s problems so that the VA can successfully provide high quality and timely services to our nation’s veterans.”