FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 6
CONTACT: Marisa Melton, (208) 743 - 1388, marisa.melton@mail.house.gov
Congressman Fulcher and Senator Risch Lead Legislation to Support Idaho State Veterans Homes.
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher and Senator Jim Risch introduced the Waiving Arbitrary and Inconsistent Veteran Home Requirements (WAIVER) Act this week to require the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) to provide already approved state home projects a waiver from certain requirements in the Build America, Buy America Act (BABBA).
In 2019, the Idaho Division of Veterans Services was approved for a grant by the VA to build a new veterans home in Boise. Then, in 2022, they received conditional approval to remodel veterans homes located in Lewiston, and Pocatello.
When the BABBA was enacted in 2022, Congress was assured previously approved state projects, such as the ones in Idaho, would receive a waiver from compliance standards requiring the construction of government buildings to use materials sourced from U.S. supply chains and manufacturers.
Now that the VA is walking back those claims, the WAIVER Act would allow these projects to be grandfathered in.
“The VA needs to stop playing politics with Idaho’s heroes,” Congressman Fulcher said. “The VA promised Idaho a waiver to build and remodel these homes, and I intend to make them keep their word.”
“America’s veterans have waited far too long for updated facilities in Idaho and around the country. Due to the VA Secretary choosing to selectively apply requirements, veterans will wait longer and it will cost taxpayers more money for needed facility updates,” said Senator Risch. “The WAIVER Act will push the VA to be consistent with other agencies, advance American manufacturing and production in the best way possible, protect taxpayer dollars, and enable state veterans’ homes to move forward with important, planned projects to help America’s veterans.”
“Biden’s VA is playing political games with our veterans, and Idaho’s leaders are lockstep in pushing back. It is unacceptable that help for our veterans is in peril because of bureaucracy. This is a classic example of the federal government moving the goalposts midgame. The State of Idaho is living up to our end of the deal but the feds aren’t, and veterans are the ones who will suffer,” Governor Brad Little said. “I appreciate Congressman Russ Fulcher and Senator Jim Risch for taking steps to slash the red tape at the VA so construction and renovation on our veterans homes in Boise, Lewiston, and Pocatello can move forward as planned.”
“The VA in Washington, D.C., keeps changing their story and pulling the rug out from under the states,” Idaho Division of Veterans Services Administrator Mark Tschampl said. “This isn’t just an Idaho issue, either. Dozens of facilities for veterans in other states are on the line, too, because the VA won’t issue the waivers for our projects, which were approved for funding before the passage of this new law. Thank you to Idaho’s leaders for stepping up to find a solution for our veterans who fought for our country and deserve better. Veterans should never have to pay the price of political motives.”
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