Media
Latest News
This past month, I spent time travelling around FL-12 to meet with constituents and visit local business and organizations. Here are some highlights from August 2015:
Today, the Obama administration denied Governor Rick Scott's request for a federal disaster declaration for multiple counties in Florida, including Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough. Congressman Bilirakis has been a tireless advocate for the victims of flooding in his district, proactively engaging all levels of government to provide relief to those in need.
A recent Department of Veteran's Affairs Inspector General report found "serious" problems with enrollment data for Veterans seeking health care. The VA's Inspector General confirmed that nearly 900,000 military Veterans have officially pending applications for health care. Of those 900,000, an estimated 307,000 Veterans listed died before their applications for care were processed.
Residents turned out in droves to a town hall hosted by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, State Sen. Wilton Simpson and State Rep. Danny Burgess.
People filled every seat of the Pasco County Commission's chambers at the Historic Courthouse in Dade City.
They sat on extra chairs set up along the aisles. Some stood in the back. And, there were even people sitting in chairs on the dais that are normally reserved for county officials and Pasco County Commission members.
The speakers at the Aug. 25 session had plenty to say at the meeting, which lasted more than three hours.
Washington, D.C. – There are many issues facing our families, communities and country. Please join Congressman Bilirakis, State Senator Wilton Simpson and State Representative Danny Burgess to share with us the issues that are most important to you and your family. By hearing your stories, your elected officials will be better able to serve as your voice when advocating on your behalf.
Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, Congressman Bilirakis issued the following update to constituents in Congressional District 12 regarding the availability of flooding relief:
The U.S. House voted 256 – 170 on Wednesday in a favor of a bill giving the VA secretary more room to fire underperforming employees. The measure was championed by the two Florida Republicans in charge of the House Veterans Affairs Committee: Chairman Jeff Miller and Vice-Chairman Gus Bilirakis.
Party lines mostly held but U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Fla., joined the Republican majority in voting for the bill. Last year, the VA. was rocked when news emerged that veterans had been included on altered wait lists at VA medical centers and died awaiting treatment.
The House of Representatives has passed legislation that could pave the way for more treatment options for people who are ill, and the bill's bipartisan support bodes well for its passage in the Senate, said Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who has taken a leadership role on this issue.
The 21st Century Cures Act passed the House by a vote of 344-77 on July 10.
"Now, we're waiting on the Senate to pass a bill," Bilirakis said, and he's confident that will happen, perhaps by the end of the year.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bilirakis (R-FL), today introduced legislation to ensure accountability and transparency at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Flood Insurance Integrity Act will require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); specifically, as it relates to how flood insurance maps are updated.