Obama to sign VA bill on Thursday

Veterans' health care will be on the agenda Thursday as President Obama signs a new bill revamping the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Obama will sign the legislation at Fort Belvoir, Va., near Washington, D.C.

Congress passed the bill in the face of reports of long wait lines and poor care at VA hospitals across the country.

"No veteran should have to wait to receive the benefits they have earned," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. "And in recent months, the VA has taken aggressive steps to address the systemic issues found in the VA's health care system."

The bill halts scheduled financial bonuses for VA employees, and gives some veterans the ability to seek private care if necessary. It also gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs -- the newly confirmed Robert McDonald -- the authority to fire senior officials for mismanagement.

Earnest said, "this new legislation that passed Congress with strong bipartisan support will put in place reforms and needed additional resources to meet the high standard of service that our veterans have earned."