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Veterans

March 25, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) re-introduced the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act, which would help the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) recruit and retain the staff necessary to address the significant 200,000-case backlog it currently faces.

Issues:Veterans
March 17, 2025

Washington, DC: –Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) have reintroduced the Major Richard Star Act alongside Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).   This critical legislation will rectify an injustice that keeps combat disab

Issues:Veterans
January 29, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis co-sponsored legislation introduced by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), to increase access to care for Veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) providers in the community.  The

Issues:Veterans
January 16, 2025

Washington, DC:  Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), who serves as Advisor to Speaker Mike Johnson on VA issues, has re-introduced H.R.

Issues:Veterans
January 6, 2025

Washington, DC:  President Biden has signed the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act into law.  This important legislation will help Veterans and their families by modernizing and reshaping the delivery of care and benefits.  Specifically, the new law will:

December 5, 2024

Washington, DC:  Congressman Bilirakis is leading the charge to advance his priority Veteran legislation before the end of this term.  The Major Richard Star Act, which is jointly authored by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA), has garnered widespread bipartisan support, as evidenced by its 326 cosponsors

Issues:Veterans
October 21, 2024

WASHINGTON, DC:  Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12-R) and  Morgan McGarvey  (KY-3-D) introduced H.R.9046, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act, which would allow the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) to improve recruitment and retention of high performing employees

Issues:Veterans
June 21, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C.Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA), along with Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have introduced bicameral Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0 Act and the Burn Pit Elim

Issues:Veterans
June 4, 2024

Washington:  Earlier this week, the House passed a bill authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis and co-sponsored by every Member of Florida’s Congressional Delegation.  It wouldrename the United States Post Office located at 207E.

Issues:Veterans
May 22, 2024

Springhill, FL:  Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) is hosting his annual Veterans Resource Fair for local Veterans and their families to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available to them in the community.

Issues:Veterans
April 19, 2024

Washington, DC:  As the newly appointed Advisor to the Speaker on VA Issues, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis has the unique opportunity to discuss the ongoing needs of our nation’s heroes with House Speaker Mike Johnson on a quarterly basis.

Issues:Veterans
March 1, 2024

Washington, DC:  Earlier today Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) introduced the Preserving Access to Patient Reimbursement Act in the United States Senate.  This bipartisan bill is a companion to the House Bill introduced by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) in the House earlier thi

Issues:Veterans
February 29, 2024

Over the past week, Congressman Bilirakis hosted two public forums to help educate his constituents about new scams used to defraud the elderly, new technological advancements in the effort to find better treatments for diseases that disproportionately impact the elderly, and resources available in the community to help seniors remain living independently in their homes for as

December 18, 2023

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

Issues:Veterans
November 10, 2023

Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Lois Frankel (FL-22) introduced a resolution acknowledging the courage and sacrifice of Veterans of the Korean War and the Korean Defense Veterans.  The lawmakers issued this joint statement: 

Issues:Veterans
October 31, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, has successfully convinced the Department of Veterans Affairs to begin covering Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)&nbs

Issues:Veterans
October 24, 2023

Spring Hill-  Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) is hosting his annual Veterans Resource Fair for local Veterans and their families to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available to them in the community.

Issues:Veterans
October 20, 2023

Brooksville, FL – As part of his unwavering commitment to improving support for Veterans, Congressman Gus Bilirakis invited a Florida-based non-profit, The Fire Watch, to give a Veteran Suicide Intervention Training during the upcoming meeting of his Veterans Advisory Committee.  Florida has the third highest Veteran population in the country

Issues:Veterans
September 27, 2023

Washington, DC – Earlier today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) filed the Preserving Access to Patient Reimbursement Act (PAPR Act),which will ensure all Veterans, throughout the nation, continue to be able to fully participate in the travel reimbursement program.&

Issues:Veterans
September 27, 2023

New Port Richey, FL:  Congressman Gus Bilirakis and the Pasco County Dental Association are delighted to announce their annual Stars, Stripes, and Smiles event, which will take place November 3, 2023.

Issues:Veterans
August 22, 2023

On August 29, 2023, Congressman Gus Bilirakis will host a town hall for Veterans and their families from Hernando, Citrus and Pasco counties. During this public forum, Bilirakis will be joined by senior leaders from the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. Bilirakis, recently appointed to serve as Veterans Advisor to U.S.

Issues:Veterans
July 26, 2023

Washington:  Earlier today, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy appointed Representative Gus Bilirakis to serve as Veterans’

Issues:Veterans
June 20, 2023

Washington, DC:  In a huge victory for more than 50,000 medically retired Veterans throughout the country, Representative Gus Bilirakis’s Major Richard Star Act has been scheduled for this week’s House Armed Services mark-up hearing.

Issues:Veterans
May 17, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The co-chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, U.S.

April 28, 2023

Washington, DC:  At the request of their constituents, Representatives Gus Bilirakis and John Garamendi proudly introduced bipartisan legislation today that will create a 100th anniversary commemorative coin for the Fleet Reserve Association.

Issues:Veterans
March 29, 2023

Washington, DC:  On July 24, 2009, during his first tour of duty with the 10th Mountain, 32nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army, SPC Justin Dean Coleman of Hernando County, Florida was killed in action while patrolling a residential area of Nuristan Province in Afghanistan.  He was only 21 years old.

Issues:Veterans
March 3, 2023

New Port Richey, FL:  Tomorrow, March 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., U.S.

Issues:Veterans
March 1, 2023

Washington, DC: –Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) have reintroduced the Major Richard Star Act.  This critical legislation will rectify an injustice that

Issues:Veterans
February 8, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) provided the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address:

January 21, 2023

Tampa, FL:  Earlier today Congressman Gus Bilirakis proudly cut the ribbon on the new James A.

Issues:Veterans
January 4, 2023

Washington, D.C.: As the final days of the 117thCongress drew to a close, U.S.

November 1, 2022

New Port Richey:  The office of Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Pasco-Hernando State College, and the West Pasco Dental Association are once again partnering to provide free dental services to Veterans in need at this year’s Stars, Stripes, and Smiles event, which will take place at Pasco Hernando State

August 19, 2022

New Port Richey, Florida: Congressman Gus Bilirakis recently met with Ms. Georgie Alfano, founder of Female Veterans Unite, a local organization dedicated to meeting the needs of female Veterans throughout the Tampa Bay area.

August 12, 2022

Washington, DC: – Earlier today Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) secured over 290 co-sponsors of the Major Richard Star Act, enabling the bill to be added to the Consensus Calendar.

Issues:Veterans
August 7, 2022

Zephyrhills, FL: Earlier today, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis spoke to the Greater Tampa Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). Every member of this organization has been awarded the Purple Heart for combat-related injuries.

August 3, 2022

Washington, DC: Last night,the Senate passed long-overdue legislation to expand Veterans' benefits to those who have been exposed to toxins during their service to our nation.

Issues:Veterans
July 14, 2022

Washington, DC: Last night,the House passed long-overdue legislation to expand Veterans' benefits to those who have been exposed to toxins during their service to our nation.

Issues:Veterans
May 13, 2022

New Port Richey, FL: Congressman Gus Bilirakis is hosting his 16th Annual Veterans Resource Fair.

Issues:Veterans
May 3, 2022

Washington, DC— Representatives Steve Womack, Gus Bilirakis and a group of Republican colleagues have introduced of the Veterans First Act of 2022 to stop the White House from diverting resources for our Veterans to manage its self-inflicted southern border crisis.

May 2, 2022

Washington, DC- On March 31, 2022 Congressman Gus Bilirakis was contacted by a local WFLA reporter alerting him of concerns that the National Parks Service (NPS) had discontinued escorts for the U.S. Honor Flight program in Washington, DC. The Honor Flight Program is a wonderful initiative to honor our nation's heroes.

Issues:Veterans
May 2, 2022

Washington, DC- On March 31, 2022 Congressman Gus Bilirakis was contacted by a local WFLA reporter alerting him of concerns that the National Parks Service (NPS) had discontinued escorts for the U.S. Honor Flight program in Washington, DC. The Honor Flight Program is a wonderful initiative to honor our nation's heroes.

Issues:Veterans
April 5, 2022

Washington, DC: One of the most important functions of an effective Member of Congress is a willingness to help constituents cut through the red tape and navigate the bureaucracy of the federal government.

March 16, 2022

Washington, DC:The President recently signed two provisions into law that were authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

March 15, 2022

New Port Richey, FL: Congressman Gus Bilirakis is excited to be participating in the U.S. House of Representatives Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program, and looks forward to hiring the newest member of his team.

Issues:Veterans
February 9, 2022

Washington, DC: At the request of their constituents, Representatives Gus Bilirakis and John Garamendi proudly introduced legislation today that will create a 100th anniversary commemorative coin for the Fleet Reserve Association.

Issues:Veterans
February 2, 2022

Washington, D.C.— Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) have introduced the bipartisan Restore Veterans' Compensation Act.

Issues:Veterans
January 4, 2022

Continuing his strong record of legislative achievement, two more bills co-authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis have recently been signed into law. The Department of Defense (DOD) Burn Pits Health Provider Training Act implements mandatory training for all DOD medical providers on the potential health effects of burn pits.

December 8, 2021

Washington, DC: Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) proudly cast a vote in favor of this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which is now headed back to the Senate and then to the President to become law.

November 16, 2021

WASHINGTON – Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-R) and Lauren Underwood(IL-D)'s  bipartisan legislation to improve maternal health care for Veterans passed the House today, after already clearing the Senate last month with bipartisan support.

November 3, 2021

Washington, DC: As part of Veterans and Military Families Month Congressman, Gus Bilirakis is hosting his 15th Annual Veterans Resource Fair on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The event will take place on the Pasco Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

Issues:Veterans
September 24, 2021

Washington, D.C. : Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) have a long and successful history of working together to prioritize the needs of our nation's heroes.

Issues:Veterans
July 22, 2021

Bilirakis and Blunt Rochester Introduce Bill to Improve Private Care for Veterans

Issues:Veterans
July 1, 2021

Bilirakis to Hold Veterans' Townhall in New Port Richey with Senior VA officials

Issues:Veterans
June 29, 2021

Bilirakis Receives National Award for His Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans

Issues:Veterans
May 13, 2021

Bilirakis-led Bill to Help Veterans Passes the House

Issues:Veterans
May 5, 2021

Bilirakis Bill to Help Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Reviewed

-During Hearing Constituent Whose Wife Recently Died from Toxic Burn Pit Exposure Testifies-

Issues:Veterans
March 22, 2021

Bilirakis Co-Authors Legislation to Deliver Benefits to Veterans with Children with Special Needs

-Bill corrects oversight in the Survivor Benefit Plan, allows for Special Needs Trust open enrollment-

Issues:Veterans
March 15, 2021

Bilirakis Holds Virtual Job Fair for Veterans, Guard and Reserve Members and Military Spouses

Who: Congressman Gus Bilirakis is hosting a free virtual job fair for Veterans, Guard and Reserve Members and Military Spouses

When: March 30, 2021 thru April 1, 2021

Issues:Veterans
February 24, 2021

Bilirakis and Ruiz Lead Bipartisan Push to Provide Disabled Veterans Full Military Benefits

-Bipartisan Major Richard Star Act would allow 42,000 combat-injured veterans to receive full disability compensation and retired pay-

Issues:Veterans
November 19, 2020

Contact: Summer Blevins, 727-232-2921

Bilirakis Selected to Serve as Conferee, Continues to Champion Changes to Help Active Duty Military and Veterans

July 29, 2020

Contact

Summer Robertson

727-232-2921

Bilirakis Champions Changes to Help Active Duty Military and Veterans

-Five Bilirakis-Authored Provisions Included in the House passed version of NDAA-

July 20, 2020

Washington, DC: Congressman Bilirakis is proud to announce passage of the Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act, which will improve and expand the VA's Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program. This program currently provides grants to the nation's most severely disabled Veterans.

Issues:Veterans
July 13, 2020

Contact

Summer Robertson

727-232-2921

Bilirakis Champions Changes to Help Active Duty Military and Veterans

March 3, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT

Summer Robertson: 727-232-2921

Bilirakis and Ruiz Lead Legislative Push to Help Disabled Veterans

Issues:Veterans
July 24, 2019

Washington, DC: Congressman Bilirakis is proud to announce passage of his bill to extend eligibility for the Fry Scholarship to spouses and children of members of the National Guard and Reserve who died of service-connected causes but whose deaths did not occur when the member was on active duty.

Issues:Veterans
May 9, 2019

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) reintroduced the Veterans Early Treatment for Chronic Ailment Resurgence through Examinations (VET CARE) Act, to require the Veterans Administration (VA) to put in place a four-year pilot program providing dental care for Veterans with certain chronic health conditions.

Issues:Veterans
July 24, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, applauded passage today of the Harry. W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act, H.R. 3218, in the House of Representatives.
Issues:Veterans
July 20, 2017
Today, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Committee, introduced the Pups for Patriots Act. This legislation promotes the use of service dogs for Veterans by establishing a new VA pilot program working with nonprofit service dog organizations.
Issues:Veterans
July 19, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Committee, released the below statement after the committee unanimously advanced the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act, H.R. 3218, which includes his provision to modernize the VA’s Information Technology systems for GI Bill claims processing.
July 18, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Committee, joined a legislative hearing on the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act, H.R. 3218. The bill would improve and extend GI Bill benefits granted to Veterans, and includes a provision introduced by Bilirakis to modernize the VA’s Information Technology systems for processing claims.
June 29, 2017
In honor of National Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) Awareness Month, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) took to the U.S. House floor to break the stigma surrounding PTS.
June 23, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Committee, joined President Trump today at the White House for the signing of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. He issued the following statement after the bill was signed into law.
Issues:Veterans
June 22, 2017
At a key subcommittee hearing on the president’s budget request for the Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, reiterated the need for an increased focus on alternative treatments for Veterans.
Issues:Veterans
June 13, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, applauded today’s passage of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act.
Issues:Veterans
May 23, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) today commended the bipartisan House passage of the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living-Adjustment Act (H.R. 1329).
Issues:Veterans
May 17, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today applauded the committee’s passage of 11 bills to improve the VA and better serve our nation’s heroes.
Issues:Veterans
April 14, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) announced today he will be holding a Veterans Resource Fair for local Veterans and their families to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available to them.
Issues:Veterans
April 5, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) today applauded the passage of bipartisan legislation to continue the Veterans Choice Program beyond its previously set expiration date.
Issues:Veterans
April 4, 2017
During a key hearing today, House Veterans Affairs (VA) Committee Vice Chairman Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) questioned VA officials about ongoing concerns at the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), the suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline for Veterans and their loved ones.
Issues:Veterans
April 4, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) took to the House floor today in support of legislation he recently introduced, the VA GORDIAN KNOT Act (H.R. 1771).
Issues:Veterans
March 29, 2017
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) today introduced the VA Guidance for Organizational Reform and Data Integrity for Accountability Needs Key for Necessary and Optimal Transformation (GORDIAN KNOT) Act to solve the puzzle of reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Issues:Veterans
March 28, 2017
Today, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced the Veterans Early Treatment for Chronic Ailment Resurgence through Examinations (VET CARE) Act, to require the Veterans Administration (VA) to put in place a four-year pilot program providing dental care for Veterans.
Issues:Veterans
March 1, 2017
Today, U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) announced his continued commitment in reforming the VA and holding failing employees accountable as a cosponsor of the VA Accountability First Act, legislation to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with the necessary tools to increase accountability and transparency.
Issues:Veterans