The Senate on Thursday night easily approved a $ 16 billion bill to overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs . The measure that won overwhelming House approval a day earlier now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature . It is a response to the scandal over delayed care at medical facilities and allegations of alarming management shortcomings at the sprawling federal agency that serves millions of veterans . A CNN investigation dating to November revealed key details of the crisis at VA facilities . The legislation would provide money for new medical facilities , more doctors and nurses , and a new program that will allow some veterans to seek health care outside the VA system . On Tuesday , the Senate confirmed Robert McDonald as the new VA secretary . He replaced Eric Shinseki , who resigned in May over the scandal . McDonald has promised to swiftly carry out reforms intended to speed up care for returning soldiers entering the VA system and eliminate bogus record-keeping and other problems that resulted in some veterans dying while waiting months or even years for appointments . More VA employees said they were told to falsify data . Passage of the VA bill was a rare example of swift bipartisan action in the days leading up to the congressional August recess , which is set to begin on Friday .
The $ 16 billion measure provides money for new medical facilities and doctors . President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure into law . It 's a congressional response to the scandal involving delayed medical care for veterans .