Veterans Rally To Demand Completion Of VA Hospital In Aurora
AURORA, Colo. (AP) - Veterans and supporters are staging a rally to demand completion of a vastly over-budget and long-delayed VA medical center in Aurora.
The demonstration is planned Sunday near the site of the hospital. A coalition called the United Veterans Committee of Colorado is the organizer.
The project is expected to cost $1.73 billion, nearly three times last year's estimate. Completion isn't expected until 2017.
The Veterans Affairs Department is struggling to persuade Congress to approve up to $830 million to finish it.
Only a short-term deal approved by lawmakers nine days ago is keeping the money flowing. Unless a new agreement is reached by about June 12, construction could come to a halt.
The new medical center will replace an old, crowded facility in Denver.
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