Pasco Reporter

Washington:  On July 26, 2023, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy appointed Representative Gus Bilirakis to serve as Veterans’ Advisorto the Speaker. Bilirakis, who served for more than fourteen years as the Vice-Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, has a long history championing legislation to help Veterans and their families.  Among his most notable accomplishments, Bilirakis has authored legislation signed into law to improve mental health options, strengthen homeless prevention programs and boost educational benefits for Veterans.  He has also worked to improve the transition support Veterans receive when returning to civilian life and to ensure formal recognition of the damage that toxic exposure has caused our nation’s heroes which has subsequently led to these Veterans receiving the benefits to which they are entitled. 

His latest legislative push on behalf of Veterans is to get the Major Richard Star Act (MRSA) across the finish line this term.  MRSA would ensure that the 50,000 combat-wounded Veterans who have been medically retired receive the retirement and disability pay they’ve earned.  Right now, only military retirees with at least 20 years of service and a disability rating of 50 percent and higher are able to collect both benefits at the same time.  Current law requires a dollar for dollar offset of these two benefits for all other retired veterans, meaning they have to forfeit a portion of the benefits they earned in service.   Congressman Bilirakis is committed to rectifying this injustice.  Bilirakis has also won national awards for constituent service and has an active Veterans Advisory Board in his local district that will provide critical input that he will use to brief U.S. House Speaker Keving McCarthy and House leadership on an ongoing basis in this new role.       

“Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have made it my priority to act as the voice of the men and women who serve our nation,” said Congressman Bilirakis.  “I’m grateful for this newest opportunity to strengthen that voice and will continue pushing to ensure Veterans issues remain at the forefront of the priorities we tackle this Congress.”

“I’m proud to appoint Congressman Gus Bilirakis as the Veterans’ Advisor to the Speaker. Gus will work closely with me to ensure that the voices of those who have served in our military are heard and that Congress puts Veterans and their families first. He has already proven to be a tremendous advocate for our nation’s heroes and their families, working to ensure they receive the support and services they deserve, and I’m fortunate to have him on board in this new role,” Speaker Kevin McCarthy.  

Original source can be found here.