Media
Latest News
The House Veterans Affairs Committee today advanced legislation to improve the delivery of health care and protection of benefits for our nation’s Veterans. All 11 bills passed favorably out of the full Committee.
The Committee approved the following eleven bills:
The U.S. House of Representatives today advanced legislation to provide greater accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs and reforms to the disability appeals process.
H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act, legislation Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) cosponsored, passed by a vote of 310 - 116.
Washington, D.C.– Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, yesterday hosted a joint meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, ahead of his swearing in on September 28, to discuss the future of Greece and the relationship between Greece and the United States. Representatives Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Dina Titus (NV-01), Niki Tsongas (MA-03), Anna Eshoo (CA-18) and John Sarbanes (MD-03) also joined the meeting.
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing to examine VA’s misuse of employee settlement agreements. Today’s hearing gave members the opportunity to examine the department’s practice of using employee settlement agreements and whether such benefit outweighs the costs to taxpayers and our nation’s Veterans.
Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Bilirakis was invited to join a joint hearing by the Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology's Subcommittee on Energy to hear from the administration regarding the increasingly important energy priorities in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean regions.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, sent a letter to Republic of Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan raising concerns about the abrupt revocation of a license for the annual Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Assumption at Panagia Sumela Monastery in Trabzon on August 15, 2016.
Tropical Storm Hermine caused significant destruction throughout the Tampa Bay area. Official estimates indicate that the storm left almost $89 million in damages throughout Pasco County alone. After personally visiting flooded areas throughout my District, I contacted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Commander Kirk to ask that their agency serve as a resource in helping to craft a workable solution to provide relief. It is important that leaders at the federal, state and local levels work together to find solutions.
The Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health today held a hearing to review five important public health bills, including legislation introduced by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) to reauthorize the Congenital Heart Futures Act.
Future of VA Health Care
On Wednesday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss the future of Veterans’ health care. Members had the opportunity to discuss health reform with witnesses from the Commission on Care.
This summer, during Congress' major district work period, I had the opportunity to meet with many of my constituents to hear their thoughts and ideas on the issues they care most about. While I come home every weekend, the August work period offers an extended period of time for me to truly connect with the residents of Florida's Twelfth Congressional District. It has been a very busy, productive, and incredible summer. Thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts and showing me the work they're doing to make our communities thrive.