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"Greece and Israel have been strengthening bilateral ties - on various levels - for many years now. This week's trip will build upon an already strong relationship between both countries. It is in our interest to support our allies in this region and encourage further cooperation."
Last week, Bilirakis formed the Congressional Hellenic-Israeli Alliance, a new congressional caucus to focus on this flourishing relationship between the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus.
"The violence in Syria has affected the entire country, with accusations of torture and extrajudicial killings committed by both the Assad government and rebel forces. Members of religious minority communities including Christians, Ezidis, and Mandaeans are caught in the middle of this violence. These communities lack a means to protect themselves and are susceptible to pressure from all sides of the conflict, as well as targeted retaliatory attacks and displacements," Bilirakis said.
"The violence in Syria has affected the entire country, with accusations of torture and extrajudicial killings committed by both the Assad government and rebel forces. Members of religious minority communities including Christians, Ezidis, and Mandaeans are caught in the middle of this violence. These communities lack a means to protect themselves and are susceptible to pressure from all sides of the conflict, as well as targeted retaliatory attacks and displacements," Bilirakis said.
"This bipartisan bill sends a clear message to the Iranian regime that the U.S. is committed to preventing Iran from continuing to pursue nuclear weapons capabilities. These new and expanded sanctions target its energy industry, as well as financial institutions, shipping companies, and insurers doing business with Iran. The U.S. must continue to pressure Iran until it complies with international obligations."
"While we must continue to work to create a stable economic environment which facilitates growth, I host these regular employment fairs as a means of putting those seeking work in touch with employers in the Tampa Bay area," Bilirakis said.
The Honoring America's Veterans Act included the language of H.R. 2274, which will create an accountability mechanism to ensure that the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program is adequately providing the education benefits intended.
On Wednesday, Gus, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, attended a hearing titled "Investigating the Chinese Threat, Part Two: Human Rights Abuses, Torture and Disappearances." He questioned human rights leader Rebiya Kadeer about why the Obama Administration has not agreed to meet with her, despite having met with previous administrations about human rights violations in China. Watch here:
"To create meaningful jobs and cut the unemployment rate, we need to cut the red tape," Bilirakis said. "Regulations that don't add value have gone too far and have limited businesses ability to expand and hire."
The Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act (H.R. 4078) would require cost-benefit analyses of proposed regulations, would streamline the approval process for certain permits, and would allow impacted parties the opportunity to voice their opinions before the administration enacts overzealous and potentially damaging regulations.
Gus, the Vice Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, attended a joint hearing on July 25 with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki titled "Back From the Battlefield: DoD and VA Collaboration to Assist Service Members Returning to Civilian Life." His question was about efforts to combat traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD.
The Protecting Veterans Pensions Act would address a common scam in which unethical financial advisors and firms prey on elderly and disabled veterans by promising to help them qualify for VA pension benefits if they divert their assets into trusts or annuities. While the firms profit from those trusts or annuities, they are often poor investments for seniors, leaving veterans without access to adequate financial resources. These firms further profit by charging veterans exorbitant fees and selling them additional, costly services.