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Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act of 2011

Public Law 112-37 · H.R. 2646 · 112th Congress · began in the House

Signed by Barack Obama (D) on Oct 5, 2011 · Armed Forces and National Security

Sponsor: Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH-6)

Cosponsors: None

Passage votesYeaNay

  • HouseRecorded vote: 412 yea, 3 nay412–3
  • SenateUnanimous consent
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes, within specified amounts, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out certain FY2012 major medical facility construction projects (projects) at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers in Seattle, Washington and West Los Angeles, California.

(Sec. 3) Modifies authorizations for certain previously authorized projects in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Orlando, Florida area, Palo Alto, California, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Louis, Missouri.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out FY2012 major medical facility leases (leases) at specified outpatient and community-based outpatient clinics in Alabama, California, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, New York, and Oregon.

(Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for such projects and leases. Provides project and lease funding limitations.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to include in the prospectus required to be submitted to Congress with a request for funding of a major medical facility project or lease: (1) a detailed estimate of the total costs of the medical facility including the number of personnel and itemized costs for construction, activation, special purpose alteration, ancillary services, and equipment; and (2) data concerning demographics, workload, utilization, and operating costs over a 5-, 10-, and 20-year period. Requires further, in the case of a proposed new or replacement facility, a detailed: (1) report of the consideration given to acquiring an existing facility by lease or purchase and to the sharing of health-care resources with the Department of Defense (DOD), and (2) total cost estimate and a cost-benefit comparison for each considered alternative to construction of the facility and an explanation of why the preferred alternative is the most effective means to achieve the stated project goals.

(Sec. 7) Prohibits the Secretary from using bid savings on a major construction project to expand the purpose of such a project until after submitting specified information to the congressional veterans committees, including the major project that is the source of the bid savings and the major project for which the Secretary intends to expand the purpose.

(Sec. 8) Designates the VA telehealth clinic in Craig, Colorado, as the "Major William Edward Adams Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic."

(Sec. 9) Designates the VA medical center in Big Spring, Texas, as the "George H. O'Brien, Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center."

(Sec. 10) Extends through 2012 specified authority for: (1) treatment, rehabilitation, and additional services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, (2) housing assistance for homeless veterans, and (3) the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. Extends through FY2012 the authority of the Secretary of Labor to conduct homeless veterans reintegration programs. Extends through 2018 the authority for transfers of real property under the Secretary's jurisdiction or control. Extends to September 30, 2020, the recovery audit program for certain fee basis and other medical services contracts concerning non-VA care and services for veterans and beneficiaries.

(Sec. 11) Increases authorized amounts for the VA comprehensive service programs for FY2012. Provides a reduced amount for FY2013 and thereafter.

(Sec. 12) Increases and extends through FY2012 the authorization of appropriations for the VA program of financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families residing in permanent housing.

(Sec. 13) Extends through: (1) FY2012 a VA grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, and (2) the end of 2012 specially adapted housing assistance for disabled veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member.

(Sec. 15) Extends through November 18, 2011, VA authority to: (1) charge a loan fee for certain subsequent housing loans made to veterans, and (2) verify veterans' income information from the Secretary of the Treasury or the Commissioner of Social Security.

(Sec. 17) Extends through November 18, 2011, VA authority to verify veterans' income information through the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) before terminating or reducing certain benefits and services. Makes a conforming amendment to part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act authorizing the release of such information by the HHS Secretary.

Who voted for it

Every House member of the 112th Congress on the ideology compass. Highlighted: the 412 who voted yea on final passage. Faded: everyone else, including those who voted nay, did not vote, or had not yet taken office.

412 yea3 nay18 present or did not vote

ProEstablishmentAnti
Economic left–right
More liberalMore conservative

Democrats who voted yea(184)

Republicans who voted yea(228)

  • Rep. Walter JonesR-NC-3
  • Rep. Steven LaTouretteR-OH-14
  • Rep. Patrick MeehanR-PA-7
  • Rep. Jim GerlachR-PA-6
  • Rep. Bob DoldR-IL-10
  • Rep. Todd PlattsR-PA-19
  • Rep. Ileana Ros-LehtinenR-FL-18
  • Rep. Mario Diaz-BalartR-FL-21
  • Rep. Frank LoBiondoR-NJ-2
  • Rep. Pete KingR-NY-3
  • Rep. Chris SmithR-NJ-4
  • Rep. Jon RunyanR-NJ-3
  • Rep. Charles DentR-PA-15
  • Rep. Christopher GibsonR-NY-20
  • Rep. Michael GrimmR-NY-13
  • Rep. Judy BiggertR-IL-13
  • Rep. Richard HannaR-NY-24
  • Rep. Rodney FrelinghuysenR-NJ-11
  • Rep. Lou BarlettaR-PA-11
  • Rep. Tom LathamR-IA-4
  • Rep. Shelley CapitoR-WV-2
  • Rep. Michael FitzpatrickR-PA-8
  • Rep. David McKinleyR-WV-1
  • Rep. David RiveraR-FL-25
  • Rep. Frank WolfR-VA-10
  • Rep. Michael TurnerR-OH-3
  • Rep. Charlie BassR-NH-2
  • Rep. Mike SimpsonR-ID-2
  • Rep. Steve StiversR-OH-15
  • Rep. Aaron SchockR-IL-18
  • Rep. Robert TurnerR-NY-9
  • Rep. Nan HayworthR-NY-19
  • Rep. Hal RogersR-KY-5
  • Rep. Tom ColeR-OK-4
  • Rep. Rodney AlexanderR-LA-5
  • Rep. Mike RogersR-AL-3
  • Rep. Jeff FortenberryR-NE-1
  • Rep. Adam KinzingerR-IL-11
  • Rep. Frank LucasR-OK-3
  • Rep. Glenn ThompsonR-PA-5
  • Rep. Jerry LewisR-CA-41
  • Rep. Jo Ann EmersonR-MO-8
  • Rep. Mike KellyR-PA-3
  • Rep. Ander CrenshawR-FL-4
  • Rep. John ShimkusR-IL-19
  • Rep. Joseph HeckR-NV-3
  • Rep. Steve WomackR-AR-3
  • Rep. Denny RehbergR-MT
  • Rep. Jo BonnerR-AL-1
  • Rep. Ed WhitfieldR-KY-1
  • Rep. Ken CalvertR-CA-44
  • Rep. Bill ShusterR-PA-9
  • Rep. Pat TiberiR-OH-12
  • Rep. Brian BilbrayR-CA-50
  • Rep. Rick CrawfordR-AR-1
  • Rep. Steve AustriaR-OH-7
  • Rep. Robert AderholtR-AL-4
  • Rep. Buck McKeonR-CA-25
  • Rep. Rick BergR-ND
  • Rep. Geoff DavisR-KY-4
  • Rep. Leonard LanceR-NJ-7
  • Rep. Don YoungR-AK
  • Rep. Spencer BachusR-AL-6
  • Rep. Kay GrangerR-TX-12
  • Rep. David DreierR-CA-26
  • Rep. Tom ReedR-NY-29
  • Rep. Gregg HarperR-MS-3
  • Rep. Daniel LungrenR-CA-3
  • Rep. Robert WittmanR-VA-1
  • Rep. Tim MurphyR-PA-18
  • Rep. Martha RobyR-AL-2
  • Rep. Thad McCotterR-MI-11
  • Rep. Doc HastingsR-WA-4
  • Rep. Kristi NoemR-SD
  • Rep. Chip CravaackR-MN-8
  • Rep. Greg WaldenR-OR-2
  • Rep. Elton GalleglyR-CA-24
  • Rep. Bobby SchillingR-IL-17
  • Rep. Tom MarinoR-PA-10
  • Rep. Randy ForbesR-VA-4
  • Rep. John CarterR-TX-31
  • Rep. Dave CampR-MI-4
  • Rep. Brett GuthrieR-KY-2
  • Rep. Jaime Herrera BeutlerR-WA-3
  • Rep. James RenacciR-OH-16
  • Rep. Lamar SmithR-TX-21
  • Rep. Timothy JohnsonR-IL-15
  • Rep. Larry BucshonR-IN-8
  • Rep. Gus BilirakisR-FL-9
  • Rep. Peter RoskamR-IL-6
  • Rep. Lee TerryR-NE-2
  • Rep. Fred UptonR-MI-6
  • Rep. Jeff DenhamR-CA-19
  • Rep. Vern BuchananR-FL-13
  • Rep. Mary Bono MackR-CA-45
  • Rep. Scott TiptonR-CO-3
  • Rep. Erik PaulsenR-MN-3
  • Rep. Roscoe BartlettR-MD-6
  • Rep. Tim GriffinR-AR-2
  • Rep. Mike RogersR-MI-8
  • Rep. Bob GibbsR-OH-18
  • Rep. Frank GuintaR-NH-1
  • Rep. Candice MillerR-MI-10
  • Rep. Michael McCaulR-TX-10
  • Rep. Scott RigellR-VA-2
  • Rep. Mark AmodeiR-NV-2
  • Rep. Allen WestR-FL-22
  • Rep. Bill CassidyR-LA-6
  • Rep. Renee EllmersR-NC-2
  • Rep. Cathy McMorris RodgersR-WA-5
  • Rep. Steven PalazzoR-MS-4
  • Rep. Blaine LuetkemeyerR-MO-9
  • Rep. Bill JohnsonR-OH-6
  • Rep. Devin NunesR-CA-21
  • Rep. Daniel WebsterR-FL-8
  • Rep. Jean SchmidtR-OH-2
  • Rep. Charles BoustanyR-LA-7
  • Rep. John SullivanR-OK-1
  • Rep. Kevin McCarthyR-CA-22
  • Rep. Joe BartonR-TX-6
  • Rep. Phil RoeR-TN-1
  • Rep. Ralph HallR-TX-4
  • Rep. Eric CantorR-VA-7
  • Rep. Randy HultgrenR-IL-14
  • Rep. Alan NunneleeR-MS-1
  • Rep. Mike CoffmanR-CO-6
  • Rep. Chuck FleischmannR-TN-3
  • Rep. Sean DuffyR-WI-7
  • Rep. Sam GravesR-MO-6
  • Rep. Adrian SmithR-NE-3
  • Rep. Howard CobleR-NC-6
  • Rep. Joseph PittsR-PA-16
  • Rep. Gary MillerR-CA-42
  • Rep. Steve PearceR-NM-2
  • Rep. John MicaR-FL-7
  • Rep. Pete OlsonR-TX-22
  • Rep. Paul GosarR-AZ-1
  • Rep. Scott DesJarlaisR-TN-4
  • Rep. Cory GardnerR-CO-4
  • Rep. Robert LattaR-OH-5
  • Rep. Vicky HartzlerR-MO-4
  • Rep. John KlineR-MN-2
  • Rep. Steve KingR-IA-5
  • Rep. Morgan GriffithR-VA-9
  • Rep. Richard NugentR-FL-5
  • Rep. Sue MyrickR-NC-9
  • Rep. Stephen FincherR-TN-8
  • Rep. Thomas RooneyR-FL-16
  • Rep. Blake FarentholdR-TX-27
  • Rep. John CulbersonR-TX-7
  • Rep. Darrell IssaR-CA-49
  • Rep. Andy HarrisR-MD-1
  • Rep. Donald ManzulloR-IL-16
  • Rep. James LankfordR-OK-5
  • Rep. Todd YoungR-IN-9
  • Rep. Tom PetriR-WI-6
  • Rep. Bill PoseyR-FL-15
  • Rep. Jack KingstonR-GA-1
  • Rep. Sam JohnsonR-TX-3
  • Rep. Mac ThornberryR-TX-13
  • Rep. Lynn JenkinsR-KS-2
  • Rep. Bob GoodlatteR-VA-6
  • Rep. Todd AkinR-MO-2
  • Rep. Quico CansecoR-TX-23
  • Rep. Rob BishopR-UT-1
  • Rep. Mo BrooksR-AL-5
  • Rep. Tim WalbergR-MI-7
  • Rep. Sandy AdamsR-FL-24
  • Rep. Wally HergerR-CA-2
  • Rep. Phil GingreyR-GA-11
  • Rep. Duncan HunterR-CA-52
  • Rep. Steve SoutherlandR-FL-2
  • Rep. Kevin YoderR-KS-3
  • Rep. Dan BenishekR-MI-1
  • Rep. Steve ScaliseR-LA-1
  • Rep. Kenny MarchantR-TX-24
  • Rep. Reid RibbleR-WI-8
  • Rep. Dennis RossR-FL-12
  • Rep. Bill FloresR-TX-17
  • Rep. Austin ScottR-GA-8
  • Rep. Patrick McHenryR-NC-10
  • Rep. Kevin BradyR-TX-8
  • Rep. Jeff LandryR-LA-3
  • Rep. Louie GohmertR-TX-1
  • Rep. Dan BurtonR-IN-5
  • Rep. Pete SessionsR-TX-32
  • Rep. Billy LongR-MO-7
  • Rep. John FlemingR-LA-4
  • Rep. Mike PenceR-IN-6
  • Rep. Steve ChabotR-OH-1
  • Rep. Cliff StearnsR-FL-6
  • Rep. Ted PoeR-TX-2
  • Rep. Todd RokitaR-IN-4
  • Rep. Michael BurgessR-TX-26
  • Rep. Marsha BlackburnR-TN-7
  • Rep. David SchweikertR-AZ-5
  • Rep. Bill HuizengaR-MI-2
  • Rep. Tom PriceR-GA-6
  • Rep. Ed RoyceR-CA-40
  • Rep. Lynn WestmorelandR-GA-3
  • Rep. Jimmy DuncanR-TN-2
  • Rep. Jeff MillerR-FL-1
  • Rep. Michael ConawayR-TX-11
  • Rep. Jason ChaffetzR-UT-3
  • Rep. Jeb HensarlingR-TX-5
  • Rep. Tim ScottR-SC-1
  • Rep. Virginia FoxxR-NC-5
  • Rep. Randy NeugebauerR-TX-19
  • Rep. Rob WoodallR-GA-7
  • Rep. James SensenbrennerR-WI-5
  • Rep. Mike PompeoR-KS-4
  • Rep. Trent FranksR-AZ-2
  • Rep. Connie MackR-FL-14
  • Rep. Trey GowdyR-SC-4
  • Rep. Doug LambornR-CO-5
  • Rep. Raúl LabradorR-ID-1
  • Rep. Tim HuelskampR-KS-1
  • Rep. Jim JordanR-OH-4
  • Rep. Jeff DuncanR-SC-3
  • Rep. Joe WalshR-IL-8
  • Rep. Scott GarrettR-NJ-5
  • Rep. Marlin StutzmanR-IN-3
  • Rep. Tom McClintockR-CA-4
  • Rep. Justin AmashR-MI-3
  • Rep. Tom GravesR-GA-9
  • Rep. Paul BrounR-GA-10
  • Rep. Jeff FlakeR-AZ-6
  • Rep. John CampbellR-CA-48
Data notes

The House’s recorded vote on the final version of the law (roll call 710 in Voteview), matched to the vote the record cites and checked against its totals. Positions are each member’s DW-NOMINATE score for that Congress, as on the Ideology page; left to right is more liberal to more conservative. Paired and announced yea votes count as yea. Lists follow the compass, most liberal first. A name links to a profile only for members of the current Congress. A law passed by voice vote or unanimous consent has no member list, and neither does a vote Voteview has not yet recorded.

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Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Related bills

3 bills the Library of Congress relates to this one.

  • H.R. 1658Related bill

    To name the Department of Veterans Affairs telehealth clinic in Craig, Colorado, as the "Major William Edward Adams Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic".

  • H.R. 6375 · became Public Law 112-191Related bill

    VA Major Construction Authorization and Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2012

  • S. 327Related bill

    A bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs telehealth clinic in Craig, Colorado, as the "Major William Edward Adams Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic".

Data notes

Related bills are identified by the Congressional Research Service, the House and the Senate: companion and identical bills, bills with similar text, bills that were folded into this law, and rules that brought it to the floor. A bill that is itself a public law in this site’s data links here; the others link to Congress.gov.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 22 actions.

  1. Oct 5, 2011Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 112-37.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Sep 27, 2011FloorFloor · Presented to President.
  4. Sep 23, 2011FloorFloor · Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  5. FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  6. Sep 21, 2011CommitteeCommittee · Received in the Senate, read twice.
  7. Sep 20, 2011FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  8. FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 3 (Roll no. 714).House roll call 714
  9. FloorFloor · Considered as unfinished business.
  10. FloorFloor · At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  11. FloorFloor · DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2646.
  12. FloorFloor · Considered under suspension of the rules.
  13. FloorFloor · Mr. Johnson (OH) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  14. Sep 15, 2011CalendarCalendar · Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 137.
  15. CommitteeCommittee · Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 112-209.
  16. Sep 8, 2011CommitteeCommittee · Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  17. CommitteeCommittee · Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  18. Jul 28, 2011CommitteeCommittee · Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
  19. CommitteeCommittee · Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  20. Jul 27, 2011CommitteeCommittee · Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  21. Jul 26, 2011CommitteeCommittee · Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  22. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in House
Data notes

Every action the Library of Congress lists for the bill, from introduction to signing, plus the dated committee hearings. The source lists many steps twice (the chamber’s own entry and the Library of Congress copy, or a presidential and a became-law entry with the same words); those are shown once. Amendments are listed in their own section.

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Amendments

No amendments to this bill are on record.

Data notes

Amendments offered to this bill in either chamber, as the Library of Congress records them: each with a status read from its last recorded step: agreed to, rejected, withdrawn, ruled out of order, fell with another amendment, or offered with no vote recorded (most Senate amendments are only ever offered). The wording of each amendment is the source’s. Amendments to amendments and amendments to other bills are not listed.

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Official record

The bill’s full text is on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.