Media

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.

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, voted in passage of H.R. 1994, the VA Accountability Act, and H.R. 3236, the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act. The VA Accountability Act would reduce red tape at the VA, making it easier for the Secretary of the Veterans Administration (VA) to fire employees who fail in their duty to care for "those who have borne the battle," while simultaneously making it easier to hire dedicated, and hardworking employees.

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis, Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, today lauded passage of H.R. 2256, the Veterans Information Modernization Act. This legislation included a provision based on legislation introduced by Congressman Bilirakis, titled the Creating Options for Veterans' Expedited Recovery (COVER) Act. Bilirakis' bipartisan provision will establish a commission to examine VA's current therapy model and the potential benefits in incorporating complementary, alternative therapies. This bill passed by a vote of 408 – 0.