Kelly

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs is to provide a report by July 1 on its actions to correct the problems surrounding the leasing process for VA Butler Healthcare, under a bill passed this past week by the U.S. House.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, of Butler inserted that requirement in H.R. 4486, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015.

The leasing problems were detailed in a recent report by the VA Office of Inspector General. Those included improper background checks, a faulty cost assessment and a failure to investigate a complaint.

The VA wants to build a new veterans health care facility for more than $70 million to replace much of the current VA facility on New Castle Road in Butler Township.

The VA in 2012 signed a 20-year lease for the project worth a total of $153 million, but that was nullified in 2013 when the problems arose.

The VA is expected this spring to announce a new developer for the facility

Also in the bill is an amendment co-sponsored by Kelly to ban performance bonuses for VA senior executive service employees.