Bilirakis Named Veterans’ Advisor to Speaker Johnson
Washington: Earlier today, House Speaker Mike Johnson appointed Representative Gus Bilirakis to serve as Veterans’ Advisor to the Speaker. Bilirakis, who served for 14 years on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, including multiple years as Vice-Chairman and in the same advisory capacity to Speaker McCarthy, has a long history championing legislation to help Veterans and their families. Among his most notable accomplishments, Bilirakis has authored legislation signed into law to improve mental health options, strengthen homeless prevention programs and boost educational benefits for Veterans. He has also worked to improve the transition support Veterans receive when returning to civilian life and to ensure formal recognition of the damage that toxic exposure has caused our nation’s heroes which has subsequently led to these Veterans receiving the benefits to which they are entitled.
“Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have made it my priority to act as the voice of the men and women who serve our nation,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “I’m grateful for this newest opportunity to strengthen that voice and will continue pushing to ensure Veterans issues remain at the forefront of the priorities we tackle this Congress.”
“Congressman Bilirakis is widely regarded as one of Congress’ most effective members, and he has been a strong advocate in delivering real results on behalf of America’s veterans,” said Speaker Mike Johnson. “I am proud to have Gus continue serving as Special Advisor to the Speaker on Veterans’ issues.”
Congressman Bilirakis’s latest legislative push on behalf of Veterans is to get the Major Richard Star Act (MRSA) across the finish line this term. MRSA would ensure that the 50,000 combat-wounded Veterans who have been medically retired receive the retirement and disability pay they’ve earned. Right now, only military retirees with at least 20 years of service and a disability rating of 50 percent and higher are able to collect both benefits at the same time. Current law requires a dollar for dollar offset of these two benefits for all other retired veterans, meaning they have to forfeit a portion of the benefits they earned in service. Congressman Bilirakis is committed to rectifying this injustice.
Bilirakis has also won national awards for constituent service and has an active Veterans Advisory Board in his local district that will provide critical input that he will use to brief U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and House leadership on an ongoing basis in this role. “I’m seeing a huge uptick in the volume of constituents who are experiencing unacceptable delays in accessing community care, receiving travel pay reimbursement, and are having problems with processing of their benefit claims. Also, the dramatic spikes in the housing market have negatively impacted the great work that has been done in recent years to prevent Veteran homelessness. Additionally, while the number of Veterans committing suicide daily is down to 17 from a historic high of 22, it is still evidence that we have more work to do in ensuring all Veterans have access to the care and support they deserve. I will continue working to tackle these important issues in my new advisory role.