Skip to main content

Media

Latest News

March 4, 2016
Bilirakis Blog

Rare Disease Week gave us the opportunity to raise awareness and encourage research to find cures and treatments for rare diseases. Rare diseases are not so rare in our nation.

Some RARE facts:

March 3, 2016

Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement following Senate passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to address prescription drug abuse:

March 2, 2016

The Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations today held a hearing to continue work to address the Zika virus.

Members discussed public health response efforts with witnesses from the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health and Human Services, and other health care researchers and experts.

February 25, 2016

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Jon Tester (D-MT) joined Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL12) to introduce the Disabled Veterans Access to Space-A Travel Act. The legislation allows disabled Veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rated as 100 percent to travel aboard military aircraft under the Space-Available (Space-A) program. Following introduction, Heller, Tester, and Bilirakis offered these statements:

February 25, 2016

The House Veterans' Affairs Committee today continued work to support our true American heroes. The committee approved six important bills including Congressman Gus Bilirakis's (R-FL) Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act to continue efforts to promote safety, patient advocacy, and better access to quality care for Veterans.

February 23, 2016

Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement regarding the President's plan to close Guantanamo Bay:

February 18, 2016
Bilirakis Blog

Ashleigh Pike is an inspiration to many in our community and across the nation. Her story touches patients, families, advocates, and health care professionals alike.

Ashleigh is one of the main driving forces behind important legislation passed by the House last year, my OPEN Act.

February 17, 2016

Last year, it was reported that Medicaid programs in four states, including Florida, were paying nearly $10 million for 200 deceased individuals. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) is working with fellow Energy and Commerce Committee members to determine the scope of the problem and the mechanisms that may be put in place to prevent payments to the deceased.

February 10, 2016

The Veterans' Affairs Committee today reviewed the Department of Veterans' Affairs Budget request for Fiscal Year 2017. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Vice Chair of the Committee, questioned Secretary McDonald on the budget priorities and requests.

"The VA consistently receives funding increases throughout the years and yet many glaring issues persist," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "While we want to ensure appropriate funding levels, we must work to address the problems within the VA – not by throwing money at the problem, but by meaningful reforms and changes."

February 9, 2016

Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement following President Obama's budget proposal for FY 2017:

"Maintaining his status quo, the President has proposed a budget that leads us to higher taxes and too much spending. The proposal would increase spending by $2.5 trillion and raise taxes by $3.4 trillion over the next decade. Under his budget, the national debt will be more than double what it was when the President took office.