Story highlights
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
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 bipartisan 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 replaces Eric Shinseki who resigned in May over the scandal, key details of which were revealed by a CNN investigation.
McDonald has promised to carry out reforms swiftly.
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.