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?Formulating a budget is the basis of every financial plan, and this country needs a clear strategy to get its fiscal house in order. Now, more than ever, families and businesses are making the difficult decisions to get their own finances in check, and Washington must do the same. We cannot afford to ignore the out-of-control spending, which puts our nation?s credit rating and economic standing at risk. If we are going to truly address this country?s economic challenges and provide opportunity for Americans, we must create economic stability and certainty.
"Today marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade – a heartbreaking judicial action, which has cut short the lives of millions of children. As a father of four and a U.S. Congressman, I believe strongly in the sanctity of human life – both born and unborn – and it is with great thought and prayer I continue to oppose this decision today. I am privileged to be in a position which affords me the opportunity to stand up for the innocent and unborn, and I promise to continue to support pro-life legislation, as well as the morals and values on which they are founded.
"The Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act provides a one-stop shop for our veterans, ensuring they have the resources they need to pursue a quality education, and ultimately, best position themselves for their future career goals," said Bilirakis. "As our veterans make the transition from the battlefield to civilian life, we must continue to make them a top priority, and I am proud our Veterans Service Organizations, educational institutions, and my colleagues in the House and Senate came together in support of this shared goal."
"I would like to thank my colleagues in both the House and Senate, especially Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), for their support of the Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act," said Congressman Bilirakis.
"Congress' passage of H.R. 4057 marks an important step to ensuring our veterans have the information they need to best use the educational benefits they earned in service to our country.
This week, we have been working to find a long-term solution to the automatic spending cuts and significant tax increases, more commonly known as the Fiscal Cliff, which will take effect January 1, unless Congress and the President can reach a bi-partisan agreement. According to some estimates, if the Fiscal Cliff goes into effect, the average family living in Florida?s Ninth Congressional District will see their taxes increase by more than $3,600 a year.
"Despite a dip in the unemployment rate, hundreds of thousands of Americans have given up looking for work. Today's jobs report is just one more example of the critical need for Congress to come together and find a long-term, bipartisan resolution to our country's economic problems. Millions of Americans continue to be unemployed, underemployed or have given up looking for work all-together, and U.S. businesses are uncertain about their future. The federal government has a spending problem, and it cannot continue to tax and spend its way out of this recession.
Bilirakis is the only Republican from Florida on the Committee in the 113th Congress.
The appointment was made by the Republican Steering Committee and is expected to be ratified in a pro-forma vote by the full House GOP conference before the start of the new session of Congress.
"I am humbled to have been selected for Energy and Commerce, and I want to thank Speaker Boehner, Chairman Upton and my colleagues in the House for providing me this opportunity and placing their trust in my ability to serve our state and country in this capacity," said Bilirakis.
"Today's United Nations General Assembly vote elevating Palestinian Authority-run "Palestine" to the status of a non-member observer state is both regretful and disheartening.? Unilateral actions by the Palestinian leadership do not contribute to a durable and lasting peace between the Palestinians and their neighbors.? A lasting solution to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and the establishment of a Palestinian state, can only come through negotiations between the two principle parties.
"Experts have repeatedly noted that the threat of a WMD attack is real. We must work to ensure plans, medication and equipment are available to protect the public, including emergency response providers, in the event of an attack. The legislation passed by the House today recognizes the continued importance of ensuring medical preparedness activities remain allowable grant uses. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this bill signed into law."