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Bilirakis Celebrates Several Victories for Veterans Inspired by Local Heroes

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. The PACT Act, which is expected to be passed quickly by the Senate and forwarded to President Biden's desk to become law, includes several key provisions originally authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis and inspired by local heroes who have lost their lives as a result of toxic exposure.

"Inspired by the story of my constituent, Lauren Price, I first filed comprehensive burn pit legislation to establish presumption of service connection for burn pit-exposure with my colleague, Congressman Ruiz, in 2018. Lauren developed a terminal illness due to her exposure to burn pit toxins in Iraq. Despite her illness, she was passionate about making sure her brothers and sisters in arms would finally be able to access the medical care and benefits they had earned. Lauren worked tirelessly to help me craft legislation and testified at multiple Congressional hearings. Since 2018, I've continued to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to push this critical issue forward. As we celebrate this long-awaited victory, I can't help but think of Lauren, who lost her battle last spring. I'm also thinking of another constituent, Lonnie Kilpatrick, the namesake of legislation I authored (HR 3668)to extend the presumption of Agent Orange exposure to those who served in Guam. This important provision was included as part of the PACT Act. Lonnie spent years battling the VA to prove his service-connected Agent Orange exposure because his records were sealed by the Department of Defense (DOD). After my personal intervention in Lonnie's case, the DOD was able to confirm his exposure to the VA. Subsequently, the VA approved his retroactive disability claim just days before Lonnie succumbed to his illnesses. Lonnie died knowing that his family would have those financial resources. However, he implored me to make sure his fellow Veterans didn't have to face similar fights when trying to access the benefits they earned. Last night, I cast my vote in honor of Lauren and Lonnie. May their service and sacrifice never be forgotten, and because of their advocacy, may other Veterans be spared from having to endure the same hardships they faced upon returning home from the battlefield," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis.

Bilirakis was able to secure six wins within the PACT Act for the nation's Veterans. This includes provisions from HR 8506, the TEAM Act; HR 4086, the Protection for Veterans' Burn Pit Exposure Act; and HR 7288 the Veterans' Right to Breathe Act. Additionally, Congressman Bilirakis's bill, HR 3368, the Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Relief Act, was included in its entirety. Congressman Bilirakis also strongly supported language in Sec. 702 of the PACT Act, which contains $52 million in Leasing Authority for community living centers in Tampa, FL and appropriations for those medical facilities.

Issues:Veterans