The measure has broad bipartisan support and is part of an effort encouraged by Trump to fix an agency that provides services to millions of veterans.
Federal authorities are investigating possible opioid and other drug theft by VA employees, even after the VA announced "zero tolerance" in February.
The bipartisan measure passed by voice vote. It comes more than three years after a 2014 scandal at the Phoenix VA medical center, where some veterans died while waiting months for appointments.
Shulkin is expected to begin speaking at 11:30 a.m. EST. Watch live here.
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin says his department is seeking to close perhaps more than 1,100 VA facilities nationwide as it develops plans to allow more veterans to receive medical care in the private sector.
President Donald Trump, who made improving veterans' care a prominent issue as he campaigned for office, was to issue the order while visiting the VA.
Some ailing veterans can now use their federal health care benefits at CVS "MinuteClinics" to treat minor illnesses and injuries, under a pilot program announced Tuesday by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
As a candidate, Donald Trump made veterans services a top issue. Now, nearly three months into his administration, Mr. Trump is facing a number of barriers to achieving one of his main promises on the campaign trail.
A Veterans Affairs hospital in Washington, D.C., was flagged by inspectors in a report released on Wednesday for its mismanagement of medical equipment, supplies and staffing.
The Department of Veterans Affairs told skeptical lawmakers Tuesday it has already fixed problems with its suicide hotline that were highlighted in an internal watchdog's report released just two weeks ago.
