Press Releases
Among the bills considered by the House on Tuesday was legislation providing for a cost-of-living adjustment for disabled veterans and the survivors of certain deceased veterans; an expansion of substance abuse treatments and services offered to veterans; improved veterans access to emergency care at non-VA facilities; and restrictions on courts from changing custody arrangements on service members supporting a military operation.
Congressman Bilirakis was honored with an "A in English" Award by U.S. English, Inc. for his dedication to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States, particularly for his votes and co-sponsorships of official English legislation in the 110th Congress. Bilirakis received "A" grades on the U.S. English, Inc. legislative scorecard for the 110th Congress.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act, H.R. 5856, would provide leasing authority to the VA for up to 20 years and authorize nearly $13 million in Fiscal Year 2009 for a new 50,000 square-foot multi-specialty outpatient clinic in the city of Brandon, Fla. and a new 100,000 square-foot primary care offsite facility for the James A. Haley VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Tampa, Fla.
The Amendment, which the House adopted by a voice vote, would also set a date certain for the program to be enacted, and would require the Guard to provide a cost analysis for a Coast Guard and DHS-wide deployment of the biometric collection program in the most appropriate manner.
The Amendment, which the House adopted by a voice vote, would also set a date certain for the program to be enacted, and would require the Guard to provide a cost analysis for a Coast Guard and DHS-wide deployment of the biometric collection program in the most appropriate manner.
The Silver Alert Grant Program Act of 2008 would establish a grant program within the Department of Justice to allow states with an approved application to obtain federal funding for the establishment of Silver Alert programs or to make improvements to existing ones. Additionally, the legislation would require the U.S. Attorney General to report to Congress on the experiences of states with existing Silver Alert systems to help guide their establishment in other states.
If they meet their expected goal of 10,450 trees planted in an hour tomorrow, Hillsborough County Public Schools will set a world record. The previous record of 4,100 trees planted worldwide in one hour on Earth Day was set in 2005.
The Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 (H.R. 5613) extends until April 1, 2009, moratoria on seven Administration-imposed regulations that would shift large cost burdens on to cash-strapped state and local budgets, and could ultimately result in a significant scaling back of Medicaid services.
The 2007 "Spirit of Enterprise" is based on rankings given by the Chamber to members of Congress on key pro-growth votes during the 1st Session of the 110th Congress. Members must coincide with the Chamber's position at least 70 percent of the votes to be eligible for the award. Congressman Bilirakis's support was nearly 90 percent.
In a letter to Machivenyika Mapuranga, Zimbabwe's ambassador to the United States, Congress Bilirakis expressed "extreme displeasure with the questionable detention of foreign journalists and democracy advocates," which includes U.S. citizens.