Press Releases
The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Brussels carried out by radical Islamist terrorists. This week, Belgium's capital city was rocked by explosions in the Brussels airport and a key subway station. This was the second major terror attack in a European city in the last five months, killing 30 and injuring hundreds of others.
The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday evening advanced legislation to improve public alerts and warning systems based on legislation Congressman Bilirakis introduced several years ago.
The House approved the Integrated Public Alert Warning System (or IPAWS) Modernization Act to provide authorization to update our communications infrastructure. This legislation will help disseminate important information and alerts instantaneously over cell phones, text messaging, the Internet, and broadcasting.
Today, the Veterans' Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Health continued efforts to improve the Choice program for Veterans. The subcommittee held a hearing to conduct oversight of provider networks under VA's plan to consolidate care in community programs. This is one of several hearings to evaluate VA's choice consolidation plan.
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) is delighted to announce that his efforts to help flood victims in Pasco County continue to yield positive results. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently approved an initial $50,000 investment to prepare the Federal Interest Determination (FID) for the Pasco County infrastructure project. This is the first step in obtaining implementation dollars from the Corps.
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05) today introduced legislation to lower drug prices through increased competition in the pharmaceutical market. H.R. 4784, the Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act, will speed up FDA approval of generic drugs where there is no competition, and will create incentives for competitors to come to the market.
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittees on Health and Economic Opportunity today held a joint legislative hearing on draft legislation to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Members discussed legislation that would reform the VA to ensure the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has the necessary authority to take action when addressing concerns and hiring employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In recognition for his work to promote travel and tourism, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) yesterday was honored by the American Society of Travel Agents with the Congressional Travel Advocate Award. The Congressman's Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act was signed into law last year and has helped Florida maintain its reputation as one of America's top destinations for tourists.
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement following Senate passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to address prescription drug abuse:
The Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations today held a hearing to continue work to address the Zika virus.
Members discussed public health response efforts with witnesses from the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health and Human Services, and other health care researchers and experts.
The House Veterans' Affairs Committee today continued work to support our true American heroes. The committee approved six important bills including Congressman Gus Bilirakis's (R-FL) Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act to continue efforts to promote safety, patient advocacy, and better access to quality care for Veterans.