Dear Neighbor,

Today is Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, a time to remember, honor, and celebrate the memory of the heroes who lost their lives defending our democracy. May their memories be eternal, and may we all support the Gold Star Families who have sacrificed so much for our country!

Please continue reading for a brief overview of my efforts on your behalf last week!

 Making Washington Work For You:

Standing Up for our Heroes – Ensuring Veterans have access to the care and benefits they’ve earned is one of my top priorities in Congress,  which is why I proudly voted in support of the passage of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023, which passed the House last week.  This bill cuts through the red tape that currently prevents Veterans from easily accessing the disability benefits from VA that they have earned and makes long-overdue, modern improvements to the claims process.  I urge my Senate colleagues to expedite its passage.   

Also, this article includes an overview of the work I led during the Trump Administration to help our nation’s heroes and mentions my recent appointment to the Advisor to the Speaker on VA issues.  Please be assured that I’ll continue pushing to ensure support for Veterans remains at the top of the national agenda.  

Protecting our National Security:   I'm a firm believer that if we aren't safe, nothing else matters.  Unfortunately, the Biden Administration continues to make decisions that make our country less safe.  This article outlining how an ISIS affiliate is recruiting individuals to exploit our weak border security policies emphasizes the national security crisis that is unfolding at our border.  The continued willful disregard for the rule of law at the border and the Biden Administration’s proven inability to resolve the crisis is proof of utter ineptness.  Just recently a new surge of illegal migrants have flooded the border.   We have passed HR 2 in the House to address this problem, but my colleagues in the Senate have refused to take this important measaure up.  I will keep pushing for greater accountability on this important national security priority.  We must secure the border!

I’m also very concerned by the Administration’s ill-advised prisoner exchange with Iran announcement last week.  The money given to the rogue Iranian regime in this dangerous and naïve exchange will be used to fund state sponsored proxy terror operations.   The Biden Administration is helping Iran build its nuclear offensive system and should be held accountable for yet another poor decision that will make our country less safe! 

Improving Access to Quality Healthcare and Affordable Prescription Drugs:  During last week’s Health Subcommittee hearing, we examined policies to improve seniors’ access to innovative drugs, medical devices, and technology. One of the proposed solutions we considered was a bill I co-authored to ensure patient access to critical breakthrough products.  Click here to learn more about this important bill.  

Boosting our National Competitiveness:  In last week’s Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee hearing, we reviewed our nation’s current supply chains and considered legislative solutions to unleash innovation, boost economic resilience, and beat China.  Click here to listen to my opening remarks. 

Another threat to our global competitiveness and a burden to all American families is the high price of fuel.   Americans can’t afford continued pain at the pump.  The Biden Administration cannot continue its war against domestic energy.  I'll keep pressing to remove barriers, boost energy production and restore American energy independence. 

Bridging the Digital Divide:  Last week, I also participated in a Communications & Technology Subcommittee hearing which focused on ensuring the billions of taxpayer dollars that are already dedicated to expanding rural broadband are not being wasted or duplicated. Americans rely on Internet connectivity for work, education, health care, and staying connected with loved ones. Yet, despite years of effort and billions of dollars, many Americans - including many of those within Florida's 12th Congressional District are still without a reliable broadband connection.   

In May 2022, the Government Accountability Office found that there are over 130 broadband programs spread across 15 federal government agencies. The largest of these programs—the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, or BEAD, program, created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—commits $42.45 billion to broadband deployment.  Florida is set to receive a large portion of these funds, and I recently had Florida's Director of Economic Opportunity present to local groups at my Grant Workshop about how its portion will be disbursed.  Oversight of these existing programs is crucial for their success.   The Communications and Technology Subcommittee will continue this important work as we aim to be good stewards of your tax dollars and close the digital divide.  

Learning from You Here at Home:   I was privileged to be able to honor Gold Star Families and celebrate the ten year anniversary of the Veterans Art Center of Tampa Bay last night.  This incredible program provides art therapy and other alternative and complementary treatments to active duty military, Veterans, first responders, and their families.  To date, it has been responsible for intervening and providing help to prevent four suicides. 

During the event, I had the opportunity to speak with program founder, Major Scott Macksam, and thank him for the lifesaving work he and his team are doing through the center.  

I also spoke with Cpl. JT Doody (USMC) and his family.   Cpl. Doody was shot in Fallujah in 2007, and suffered brain damage from his injuries which also resulted in him becoming quadriplegic and blind.  His mother, Christina Ott, said art therapy gives his life meaning and immeasurable joy.  

Additionally, I had the chance to speak with Gold Star Father, Craig Gross, whose son, Cpl. (US Army) Frank "Frankie" Gross, was killed in Afghanistan in 2011, and Paula Knauss, mother of SSG (US Army) Ryan Knauss, who was one of thirteen servicemembers killed in the attack at Kabul Airport on August 26, 2021, during the Afghanistan withdrawal.  I am inspired by their courage and their commitment to help local Veterans.  I assured them that the sacrifices their sons made will never be forgotten.  

While I was in DC much of last week, my work in DC helps to support important initiatives back in the district.  For example,  as noted in this article, I recently secured federal funding to support one-stop shopping for accessing behavioral health treatment in Pasco County.  Addiction impacts people from all backgrounds and walks of life.  We must continue working to ensure those who want help are able to access the care they need.    

Supporting our Local Farmers:  Last week I joined other Members of the Florida Delegation to request the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue a Disaster Declaration for Florida’s counties impacted by Hurricane Idalia.  Upon doing so, immediate assistance will become available to support Florida’s farmers and agricultural producers as they recover from the destructive impacts of the storm.  

You're Invited:  I had two forums scheduled for the day before Hurricane Idalia was scheduled to hit our coast.  Due to the impending storm, I had to postpone.  Please find the newly rescheduled events below.   I hope you will be able to join us!

Community Connection

I am fortunate to have a team of dedicated staff who regularly attend events throughout our community, especially when I am required to be in Washington, DC. Through their collective efforts, I am better able to stay connected to the issues that matter most to my constituents. As part of my commitment to developing a better understanding of the issues facing constituents in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties members of my team attended several events last week.  Here are a few highlights.

My team enjoyed celebrating Constitution Day in Brooksville at the annual ceremony hosted by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.

My team learned about the Hernando County Sheriff’s work to keep our community safe as part of the Hernando County Citizens’ Advisory Program. 

Additionally, my team accepted an award from the Pasco County United Way in recognition of my efforts to help the organization secure federal funding to start a program to empower victims of human trafficking regain control of their lives. 

Constituent Corner

My office recently received this message from a constituent after my team helped him access resources related to Hurricane Idalia.

I called your office for help after my house flooded. Your staff connected me with immediate help to get me and my wife and our kids into a hotel. A few days later, your staff reached back out to me and helped me file a FEMA claim.  I just want to thank you for all the help you gave during this stressful time. 

 This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you!  

Sincerely,

Gus Bilirakis
Member of Congress