Press Releases
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Jon Tester (D-MT) joined Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL12) to introduce the Disabled Veterans Access to Space-A Travel Act. The legislation allows disabled Veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rated as 100 percent to travel aboard military aircraft under the Space-Available (Space-A) program. Following introduction, Heller, Tester, and Bilirakis offered these statements:
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement regarding the President's plan to close Guantanamo Bay:
Last year, it was reported that Medicaid programs in four states, including Florida, were paying nearly $10 million for 200 deceased individuals. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) is working with fellow Energy and Commerce Committee members to determine the scope of the problem and the mechanisms that may be put in place to prevent payments to the deceased.
The Veterans' Affairs Committee today reviewed the Department of Veterans' Affairs Budget request for Fiscal Year 2017. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Vice Chair of the Committee, questioned Secretary McDonald on the budget priorities and requests.
"The VA consistently receives funding increases throughout the years and yet many glaring issues persist," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "While we want to ensure appropriate funding levels, we must work to address the problems within the VA – not by throwing money at the problem, but by meaningful reforms and changes."
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement following President Obama's budget proposal for FY 2017:
"Maintaining his status quo, the President has proposed a budget that leads us to higher taxes and too much spending. The proposal would increase spending by $2.5 trillion and raise taxes by $3.4 trillion over the next decade. Under his budget, the national debt will be more than double what it was when the President took office.
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General report on patient scheduling issues at VA Medical Center in Tampa:
The Veterans' Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Health yesterday held an important hearing to improve the Choice program for Veterans.
The hearing, entitled, "Choice Consolidation: Evaluating Eligibility Requirements for Care in the Community" gave members the opportunity to question witnesses from the VA and Veteran organizations on eligibility requirements, access to quality care, and Choice options for Veterans.
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement regarding the recent passing of U.S. Veteran Barry Coates:
The Supreme Court of the United States recently announced it will take up a case challenging President Obama's executive actions on immigration. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement:
The House Veterans' Affairs Committee today continued efforts to address issues at the VA. The committee held a hearing entitled "1988 to 2016: VETSNET to VBMS; Billions Spent, Backlog Grinds On" to further address the significant backlog issues our nation's Veterans are facing at the VA.