this bill is sponsored by my good friend on the other slide of the capitol, chairman jerry moran and ranking member jon tester of the senate veterans' affairs committee. this bill would authorize the department of veterans affairs major medical facility projects in kentucky, california, new york, and puerto rico. the covid-19 pandemic has shown us the value of the v.a. health care system in serving not just our nation's veterans, which is the department's foremost responsibility, but also in supporting all americans during times of crisis. the seven projects that would be authorized in this legislation have been requested by the administration in v.a.'s most recent budget submission. they would increase access to high quality care and services to veterans of all ages and eras. they would also ensure that v.a. is better able to fulfill the department's important service training, research, and emergency response missions. and to associate myself with the chairman's remarks, abraham lincoln would recognize the v.a. medical center in my hometown, which was authorized right after the civ