Pasco Reporter

Washington, DC: As the newly appointed Advisor to the Speaker on VA Issues, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis recently met with House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss the ongoing needs of veterans in the country. Bilirakis, who has been working closely with veterans across the nation, provided specific policy recommendations to the Speaker based on input received from various sources, including his Veterans Advisory Committee.

"I’m fortunate to have many dedicated Veterans serving on my local Veterans Advisory Council who are passionate about improving the circumstances Veterans face when trying to access the care and benefits they’ve earned," stated Congressman Gus Bilirakis during the meeting. He emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges veterans encounter and expressed his commitment to working with Speaker Johnson to tackle these priorities.

Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the critical role of Congressman Bilirakis in advocating for veterans, stating, "Representative Gus Bilirakis’s expertise and leadership will help ensure the House considers legislation that proactively extends a helping hand to our nation’s heroes and their families and improves their quality of life." Johnson emphasized the responsibility of Congress to support veterans after their service and expressed his readiness to collaborate with Bilirakis on advancing initiatives to honor and assist veterans.

During the meeting, Bilirakis and Speaker Johnson discussed various issues affecting veterans, including standardized episodes of care guidelines, concurrent receipt for military retirees, expanding dental services, and challenges with community care and claim processing. The discussions also touched on topics such as preventing veterans from being scammed, diversion of VA funds, and addressing high suicide rates among veterans.

The meeting between Bilirakis and Speaker Johnson highlighted the shared commitment to enhancing support for veterans and addressing the pressing issues they face. As both leaders continue to work together, their collaboration is expected to result in meaningful legislative efforts aimed at improving the lives of veterans across the country.