PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.2496 / 114th Congress

Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act

Became Public Law No: 114-19.

Official summary

Version 49 · Public Law · May 22, 2015

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the replacement of the existing VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in FY2015 in an amount not to exceed $900 million.

(Sec. 3) The 40-mile distance requirement for a veteran to use a non-VA medical facility under the veterans choice program of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 shall be construed to allow a veteran to access a non-VA medical facility if:

the veteran resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility; or

the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to such VA medical facility not only because of geographical challenges (as under current law) but also because of environmental factors, such as roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather, because of a medical condition that impacts the ability to travel, or because of other factors as the Secretary determines.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6] · R–CO

Committees

  • Veterans' Affairs Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

    A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

    1. Became Public Law No: 114-19.

    2. Became Public Law No: 114-19.

    3. Signed by President.

    4. Signed by President.

    5. Presented to President.

    6. Presented to President.

    7. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    8. Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3289-3290)

    9. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S3289-3290)

    10. Received in the Senate, read twice.

    11. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    12. On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H3547)

    13. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H3547)

    14. Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H3546-3547)

    15. Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged. (consideration: CR H3546)

    16. Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged.(consideration: CR H3546)

    17. Mr. Coffman asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider. (consideration: CR H3546)

    18. Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    19. Introduced in House

    20. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

    Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

    Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.2496 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.2496 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.2496 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

    View full prompt & sources
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.2496 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

    View full prompt & sources