US. Department "nde.r.se°Tyforh""'th
Washington DC 20420

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The Honorable Brian SVtast
U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Mast:
You are receiving this fetter because you and your staff are using an office inside

a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility for outreach to constituents who
are Veterans. This arrangement was memorialized by a permit with a stated term of
November 1, 2017 to November 1 , 2018, that was signed by you and the medical center
Director.

The Secretary of VA has compEeted an internal review of Veterans Health

Administration (VHA) facilities providing office space inside medical centers and clinics
for Members of Congress and their staff. These spaces are provided at no cost to the
Members of Congress and are in addition to and separate from the authorized local
offices Members of Congress expressly use for constituent outreach and engagement.
VA medical centers and clinics are designed to provide medical care to Veterans.
The delivery of that care is our primary mission and the physical spaces used are for
that mission and supporting functions. Using office space for non-cfinicaf purposes that
are not under the direction or authority of VA leadership, and are for conducting Veteran
engagement by non-VA employees, in this case Members of Congress and their staff, is
not a use or purpose supported by the Executive in Charge of VHA.

The Secretary of VA has consutted with the Executive in Charge of VHA and
examined this unique arrangement. He found that no such arrangement for use of
offices exists in any other Federal hospital system, nor elsewhere in the Executive
Branch, tn addition, the VA Office of Generaf Counsel has advised that such
agreements are not authorized by law. Consequently, the Secretary determined that
Departmental facilities currently allowing office space for non-clinical purposes are no
longer to permit the use of those spaces by Members of Congress and their staff. The
Secretary has directed that where any such local permission for unique access and
usage has been allowed, those permissions, formal or informal agreements or
understandings will cease to be In effect on December 31 , 2019, and that the office
spaces be prepared for use by the facility for Veterans health care and support.
Please note that of 535 Members of Congress, only six currently use VA facilities
for office space for any purpose.

 Page 2.

The Honorable Brian Mast
The Director of the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center or their ctesignee wiil
contact you or your local Staff Director to provide information on the return of the
designated space to fuli use by the facility for cfinica! care or support. We value our

relationship with you and your staff and will continue to work closely to identify
opportunities for scheduled events on VA property where you can connect with, interact,
and engage constituents in a manner that meets the operational requirements of those
facilities, and allows Veterans additional access to their eiected representatives.
Thank you for your continued support of our Veterans and their families.
Sincerely,

Richard A. Stone, M.D.

Executive in Charge