Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to expand its Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) on Guam. The VA intends to include funding for the Guam CBOC in its construction budget request for Fiscal Year 2014.

The VA announced this plan in its response to the Congresswoman's letter to Secretary Shinseki, following up on his May 2011 trip to Guam.

“I am pleased that the VA is fulfilling its commitment to our local veteran community by taking steps to improve the Community-Based Outpatient Clinic on Guam,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “The plan to include this project in the VA’s forthcoming budget request for fiscal year 2014 is a direct result of a meeting between our local veterans and Secretary Shinseki in May 201l, during which they raised their concerns about the size of the facility. I also raised this issue with Secretary Shinseki during a meeting in my Washington, D.C., office on June 29, 2012. The expansion of the clinic will enable the clinic to accommodate more patients and staff.  I look forward to the President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2014 and I will continue to work to include this project in the budget.”

“It is critical that we continue to support our veterans long after they return home from serving our country. I commend Secretary Shinseki and the Obama Administration for their continued commitment to our veterans, and for ensuring that they receive the benefits and services that are commensurate with their service and sacrifice for our country.”