Two More Bilirakis Bills Become Law

Washington, DC:The President recently signed two provisions into law that were authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). The first measure, the Reducing Exposure to Burn Pits Act, which Bilirakis co-authored with Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA) is part of the lawmakers' continued joint efforts to protect our nation's men and women in uniform. The provision requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide Congress with an estimate of funding currently dedicated for incinerators and waste-to-energy disposal alternatives to burn pits. This is an important first step in stopping the use of burn pits. "We still have a long way to go as it relates to ensuring Veterans exposed to burn pits have access to the care and benefits they have earned, and we must keep pushing our legislation which will achieve that moral imperative. However, this provision is a step in the right direction for ending a practice that is harmful for our nation's heroes," said Congressman Bilirakis.

The second Bilirakis-authored measure signed into law is the Restoring Brand USA Act. It will help the travel and tourism industry rebound, using foreign traveler visa fees to allow Brand USA to promote the U.S. to international visitors. Brand USA—which is funded by international visitors and private contributions—has generated $56 billion to the U.S. economy since 2013, and has historically supported more than 45,000 jobs each year. However, the partnership has lost significant funding as a result of the drop in international visitors due to pandemic travel restrictions. The Restoring Brand USA Act will help Brand USA promote the U.S. to international visitors by directing the Treasury Department to allow this program to access critical resources, funded by foreign traveler visa fees, for the next few years. "The travel and tourism industry was one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic. As we seek to restore our way of life and fully recover, we cannot overlook the work that must be done to renew this powerful engine of economic growth for communities across the nation. Brand USA has proven itself as a successful catalyst for spurring tourism to the United States. We need that catalyst now more than ever to help rebuild the industry and spur job growth. Common sense solutions like this will help boost the economy and help get us moving in the right direction. We look forward to welcoming these tourists back to our country, and to the job creation it will bring," Bilirakis noted.

In total, eight Bilirakis-authored bills have been signed into law since the beginning of 2021.