Press Releases

"It's heartbreaking to watch the events in Greece and I pray that the people of Greece will have the strength, determination, and patience to get through this economic crisis," Bilirakis said. "I am pleased Greece took the right course of action and passed austerity measures, but the situation in Greece should serve as a wakeup call to all nations, including the U.S. Sadly, we could be in the same predicament very soon if we don't get our own financial house in order. That's why I'm pushing for a balanced budget amendment and dramatically lower spending.

"Billions of taxpayer dollars are being used for education programs for our nation's veterans," Bilirakis said. "While I believe these programs provide valuable and necessary resources, we must be able to track the progress and success of the Post 9/11 GI Bill to ensure that we are spending money in the most effective and efficient manner while affording our military heroes an education."

"We are making a difference in Afghanistan, and I believe that we are on track for a successful transition to Afghanistan control, but we must continue to make progress – the kind of progress that allowed us to kill Osama Bin laden and weaken al Qaeda and the Taliban – and not take steps backward," Bilirakis said. "Having been to Afghanistan, I have seen the advancements being made and I trust our Generals to tell us when the timing is right for a troop drawdown."

"This report is extremely disheartening and discouraging and brings to light a major problem within the VA," Bilirakis said. "The GAO has made valuable recommendations and I am hopeful that the VA can expedite these changes. Our veterans and those who work with veterans deserve the comfort of knowing that these environments are safe and secure, and we must get to the bottom of this problem and improve the situation."

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications, Bilirakis is responsible for making sure the country is prepared for potential disasters.

"Today's jobs report makes it clear that we need an economic environment that is focused on families and small businesses, not Washington," Bilirakis said. "We must continue to create a climate for job creators to put people back to work by reducing regulatory burdens, fixing the tax code and forcing Washington to live within its means like American families."

"Disasters can strike at any time, often with little warning," said Bilirakis, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications. "We must work to create a culture of preparedness. Taking mitigation steps now can make a huge difference and in many cases reduce loss of life and property damage, while saving money and reducing insurance rates in the long run."

The bill would provide a tax credit of 25 percent of qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures up to $5,000 for any taxable year.

"Disasters can strike at any time, often with little warning," said Bilirakis, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications. "We must work to create a culture of preparedness. Taking mitigation steps now can make a huge difference and in many cases reduce loss of life and property damage, while saving money and reducing insurance rates in the long run."

The bill would provide a tax credit of 25 percent of qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures up to $5,000 for any taxable year.