Jim Banks (R-IN)
Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026," directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding facility construction or alteration. The Secretary would be required to use commercial codes and standards instead of or in addition to Federal codes and standards. This applies as long as the commercial standards do not conflict with existing statutory and regulatory requirements. The Act also mandates the implementation of several pilot projects for construction or lease projects. Finally, the Secretary must submit annual reports to both the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs detailing these efforts.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +4
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Veterans may benefit from more efficient development and maintenance of VA facilities and housing-related lease projects.
- Scored +4
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill aims to expedite the construction and alteration of VA facilities by utilizing commercial building codes.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
The mandate for pilot construction and lease projects may stimulate demand for construction services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Use of Commercial Construction Standards: The Secretary shall use commercial codes and standards instead of or in addition to Federal codes and standards for construction or alteration of facilities (Section 2(a)). This includes standards from organizations like the National Fire Protection Association, the International Code Council, the American Society for Testing and Materials, and the American Society of Civil Engineers (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Implementation of Pilot Projects: The Secretary is required to undertake at least three pilot projects during each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031 (Section 2(b)). These projects will utilize commercial codes and standards for major construction, minor construction, or major lease projects (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Conflict with Existing Standards: The use of commercial codes and standards is subject to the condition that they do not conflict with statutory and regulatory requirements (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The mandate for pilot construction and lease projects may stimulate demand for construction services. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Streamlining construction processes through commercial standards may improve efficiency in federal capital expenditures.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans may benefit from more efficient development and maintenance of VA facilities and housing-related lease projects.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill aims to expedite the construction and alteration of VA facilities by utilizing commercial building codes.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires annual reports to Congressional committees detailing the use of these construction standards.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Faster facility construction and leasing can lead to better infrastructure for veteran services.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill focuses on the construction and leasing of VA facilities rather than transportation infrastructure.
- 4/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii