MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) released the following statement after the House failed to advance H.Con.Res. 68, a Concurrent War Powers Resolution directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.

“At a moment when Congress should assert its constitutional authority and act as a check on a lawless executive, the Republican majority instead chose blind loyalty to Donald Trump over their constitutional duty to the American people,” said Congresswoman Brownley. 

“The American people have been clear: they expect Congress to uphold the rule of law and prevent reckless, unauthorized military engagements. Yet, Republicans continue to abdicate their constitutional responsibilities, allowing this administration to operate without even the pretense of oversight or accountability. The result is a weakened Congress, a diminished Constitution, strained international alliances, and a United States that is increasingly viewed as unreliable and unserious on the world stage.

“As Donald Trump continues his authoritarian tactics, House Republicans have chosen to eliminate the rightful role of Congress as a co-equal branch of government. House Democrats, however, will not be silent. We will continue to call out abuses of power, demand transparency, and fight to restore Congress’s constitutional role. 

“Democrats remain ready to work across the aisle to uphold the U.S. Constitution, our laws, and the will of the American people. I urge the Republicans who voted against this resolution to reflect on the oath they swore and to start defending our democratic institutions instead of enabling a dangerous and unchecked presidency.”

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Issues: 119th Congress, Military

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC — Today marks the 53rd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, which for nearly half a century provided constitutional protection for abortion and affirmed the right to make personal health care decisions free from government interference. That protection was dismantled by the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, a devastating setback for reproductive freedom in the United States. Against this backdrop, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) released the following statement on her strong opposition to two extreme, misleading bills brought to the House floor by anti-choice Republicans: the so-called Pregnant Students’ Rights Act and the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act.

“These bills are not about supporting families — they are about control,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “House Republicans are advancing Donald Trump’s anti-choice agenda by censoring medically accurate information, stigmatizing abortion care, and inserting politics and extremist ideology into the most personal health care decisions a person can make.”

The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act fails to address the real, day-to-day needs of pregnant and parenting students, including medical leave, academic flexibility, childcare, lactation support, and financial assistance. Instead, it deliberately withholds information about comprehensive reproductive health care, denying students information on the full range of lawful medical options they deserve.

The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act targets the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, a critical lifeline for over one million families who rely on it for food, housing assistance, and childcare. Rather than strengthening TANF to better support vulnerable families, the bill protects states’ ability to divert these scarce resources to so-called “Crisis Pregnancy Centers,” which are widely condemned by medical professionals for using deceptive and coercive tactics to deceive pregnant women and block access to abortion care.

“Using funds meant to help struggling families survive to advance an anti-choice agenda is not pro-family — it is cruel and immoral,” Brownley continued. “Donald Trump and his allies are willing to weaponize poverty, misinformation, and fear to impose their will on American families and strip away reproductive freedom.”

“Together, these bills advance a dangerous agenda of government control and bring us closer to a nationwide abortion ban,” Brownley said. “I voted no on both bills because families deserve real support, honest information, and the freedom to make their own health care decisions.”

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Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05), member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the House passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act:

“With the passage of these final appropriations bills, Congress will deliver core tenets of American strength to the American people, including combat-ready forces, a secure border, effective education and health systems, and modern transportation. That’s why I was proud to vote for, and pass, the final four full-year funding bills in the House today.

“These bills will cut billions of dollars in wasteful spending, delivering real savings for Americans. It also brings a lot of great wins to our area, including funding to support road and airport infrastructure in Northeast Florida.”

Included in this legislation are Rutherford’s priorities to:

• Restore American military superiority

• Increase pay by 3.8% for all servicemembers

• Reduce Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves to improve quality of life for servicemembers and their families

• Support our military installations in Northeast Florida

• Provide funding for the procurement of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft made in St. Augustine

• Defund DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs, Critical Race Theory, and abortion-related travel within the Department of War

• Counter adversaries like China by strengthening American air, land, and maritime security

• Prevent terrorists, criminals, and illegals from crossing our border

• Stop fentanyl and transnational crime by strengthening DHS counter-drug, human trafficking, and child exploitation enforcement

• Safeguard American taxpayer dollars by cutting waste and reducing federal bureaucracy

• Protect the right to life by prohibiting taxpayer funding for abortion on demand

• Modernize American transportation infrastructure and air traffic control

• Improve transportation safety and mobility nationwide by investing in highways, ports, and airways

• Boost FEMA disaster relief and firefighter grants to keep communities safe and resilient

• Safeguard Social Security by enhancing frontline customer service and program integrity

• Protect American job creators

• Combat homelessness, preserve affordable housing, and address health and safety risks

• Prioritize funding for rural health to help Americans access critical care

• Support President Trump’s America First agenda

Learn more here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after the House passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill with bipartisan support:

“The House passed this bill because it delivers results,” said Congressman Cuellar. “It is not perfect, but it imposes real oversight, secures real funding, and produces real outcomes for our communities.

“As Ranking Member and as the representative of 280 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, I focused on putting guardrails on the Department and directing resources where they are needed.

“The bill includes $513 million to maintain a strong Border Patrol workforce by sustaining approximately 22,000 agents on the ground, ensuring consistent staffing levels and operational readiness along the border. It also provides $84 million to support workforce care and suicide prevention efforts, along with $35 million for Border Patrol overtime pay to ensure agents have the support and flexibility needed to do their jobs. In addition, it provides $11.8 billion for the Transportation Security Administration to protect travelers and secure our aviation system.

“It also provides $2.6 billion for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, including $763 million dedicated to cyber operations such as vulnerability management, threat detection, and capacity building to defend critical infrastructure against growing cyber threats.

“In total, the bill delivers $32 billion for FEMA, an increase of $4.7 billion over last year, to strengthen disaster preparedness, response, and recovery nationwide. This includes $26.4 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover after major disasters and emergencies.

“The bill also invests $3.8 billion in grants, training, and exercises for firefighters, first responders, and emergency managers. Within that funding, it provides $684 million for firefighter hiring, training, and equipment through Assistance to Firefighters and SAFER grants, $300 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to protect houses of worship and other at-risk organizations, and $85.5 million for Operation Stonegarden to enhance coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement along the border.

“It includes funding for firefighter hiring, training, and equipment, nonprofit security grants, and port and border security.

“This is what governing looks like,” Congressman Cuellar continued. “Passing this bipartisan compromise ensures these investments and oversight measures take effect. The alternative would have delivered none of them.”

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Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. is a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Previously, he served as a Texas State Representative and Texas Secretary of State.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) secured House passage for more than $22.2 million in federal funding legislation for 15 community projects across Washington’s 1st Congressional District. These projects include expansions of health, safety, and educational facilities, road and trail improvements, environmental sustainability initiatives, and utility upgrades.

The 15 community projects spanning the 1st Congressional District include:

• $6.8 million for projects in King County
• $15.3 for projects in Snohomish County

“This funding will help non-profits and local partners move forward with projects to make our communities more affordable, safe, and accessible,” said DelBene. “These federal investments will address important needs and create real, lasting benefits for residents across the region.”

These projects include:

The funding legislation now moves to the Senate and must be signed by President Trump.

DelBene submitted 15 projects for consideration in May 2025. Project submissions came directly from non-profit, city, and county entities. A summary of the projects submitted by DelBene in the FY26 funding package can be found here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

January 22, 2026

Washington, D.C. (January 22, 2026) — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten secured $9,052,500 million in federal funding for local projects in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District through government funding bills passed by the House of Representatives today.

“From replacing water mains to ensure access to clean water to fixing parking lots at local parks and ensuring kids have spaces for physical education at school, these projects will improve day-to-day lives for folks in communities across the 6th Congressional District,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I’m incredibly proud to have brought more than $9,000,000 back to the 6th District and look forward to getting back to work on securing the next round of Community Funding Projects.”

These projects were selected by Rep. Casten as part of his Community Funding Projects for FY2026. The legislation is expected to soon receive consideration in the Senate and become law.

Projects receiving federal funding include:

• $2,000,000 to replace the existing Metra station in Glen Ellyn and include a pedestrian underpass

• $250,000 for a new public works facility in Countryside

• $250,000 for water main improvements in Lombard

• $250,000 for a water main replacement in Crestwood

• $302,500 for construction and rehabilitation to fix cracked concrete and flood-prone areas for Worth Park District

• $500,000 for a permeable paver parking lot at Ty Warner Park

• $500,000 for the Regional Source Water Project at the DuPage Water Commission

• $500,000 to improve Main Pump Stations in Palos Park

• $600,000 for solar panels and energy-efficient windows at group homes at the DuPage County Health Department

• $850,000 for water main replacement in Willowbrook

• $850,000 to improve wastewater treatment at the Salt Creek Sanitary District

• $1,000,000 to build an artificial turf field at Sutherland Elementary School

• $1,200,000 for the rehabilitation of reservoirs in Palos Hills

Earlier this month, Rep. Casten secured funding for two additional Community Funding Projects; $950,000 for research equipment at Elmhurst University and nearly $1.1 million for the City of Palos Heights to ensure residents of Palos Heights and Northwestern Community Hospital have a secondary water source, should the primary source become compromised. Learn more here.

A full summary of all 15 projects secured by Rep. Casten this month, totaling $11,094,500, can be found below.

Rep. Casten’s FY 2026 Community Project Funding

Project Sponsor: Elmhurst University’s Health Sciences Research Equipment

Amount Secured: $950,000

Project Description: $950,000 for the purchase of equipment to advance cutting-edge technology research in the field of health sciences. The equipment will create a modern skills lab where researchers can practice and demonstrate assessment and intervention skills in a realistic and convenient setting. The technological settings will mirror various healthcare settings such as emergency rooms, hospital rooms, labor and delivery rooms, and operating theaters to fully immerse researchers in the clinical experience. The lab and simulation spaces will have life-like mannequins and modern medical equipment, including an anatomy table and a high-tech, 3D anatomy system. This new technology will enable researchers to conduct studies that have the potential to advance the field of health sciences significantly.

Project Sponsor: City of Palos Heights

Amount Secured: $1,092,000

Project Description: This project will upgrade the 80th Ave Pump Station to provide the City of Palos and the Northwestern Community Hospital with a secondary water source in an event the primary source becomes compromised.

Project Sponsor: Board of Education of the City of Chicago, Sutherland Elementary

Amount Secured: $1,000,000

Project Description: This project would build an artificial turf field at Sutherland Elementary School. Incorporating sustainable green infrastructure and spaces in the city of Chicago, using artificial turf, would benefit the residents of District 6. The outdoor spaces at Sutherland are heavily utilized by students and the community for a wide range of activities. A turf field provides multiple benefits to the community.

Project Sponsor: DuPage County Health Department

Amount Secured: $600,000

Project Description: The funding would be used for solar panels and energy efficient windows in our group homes to offset the expense of utilities in these homes and would result in a reduction in expenditures in the accounting unit that supports these programs.

Project Sponsor: Village of Crestwood

Amount Secured: $250,000

Project Description: This funding would be used for the installation of approximately 2,000 lineal feet of 6” water main utilizing the open-cut method. This work also entails the installation of valves, hydrants, and fittings.

Project Sponsor: Village of Glen Ellyn

Amount Secured: $2,000,000

Project Description: The funding would be used to replace the existing Metra Commuter Station in Downtown Glen Ellyn including a Pedestrian Underpass of the UP-West Line.

Project Sponsor: Westmont Park District

Amount Secured: $500,000

Project Description: The funding would be used for the implementation of a permeable paver parking lot that will improve ground water infiltration and water quality.

Project Sponsor: Worth Park District

Amount Secured: $302,500

Project Description: The park area (developed in 1993) has deteriorated over the years with cracked and heaved concrete, broken and loose pavers and flood-prone areas. In addition to continuing moving forward in being an unattractive and dilapidated site, the area has become unsafe, especially for those with disabilities. This funding would allow for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the site.

Project Sponsor: City of Palos Hills

Amount Secured: $1,200,000

Project Description: The funding would be used for rehabilitation work, including the lining and painting of the reservoirs, and the purchase and installation of the scrubber.

Project Sponsor: Salt Creek Sanitary District

Amount Secured: $850,000

Project Description: This funding would be used to improve the District’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to reduce phosphorus to Salt Creek.

Project Sponsor: Village of Palos Park

Amount Secured: $500,000

Project Description: The funding would be used for the replacement of Pump Nos. 1 and 2 and associated piping.

Project Sponsor: DuPage Water Commission

Amount Secured: $500,000

Project Description: The funding would be used to carry out necessary activities for its Regional Source Water Project including electric grid stability and electric supply analysis.

Project Sponsor: City of Countryside

Amount Secured: $250,000

Project Description: The City will utilize community project funding to acquire real property and construct a new public works facility.

Project Sponsor: Village of Willowbrook

Amount Secured: $850,000

Project Description: This project would be used for the construction and engineering associated with new water main installation and replacement along 75th Street between Sheridan Drive and Brookbank Road.

Project Sponsor: Village of Lombard

Amount Secured: $250,000

Project Description: This project includes the replacement and upgrade of the four (4″) inch water main on the blocks of Craig, Stewart, and Lombard. The project will increase water flow to these residents improving water quality and fire flows

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) voted in support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act and Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The Consolidated Appropriations Act includes the Defense Appropriations Act; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Congressman Valadao, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, also secured several key wins for the Central Valley, including over $29.9 million in direct funding for community improvement projects. This marks the advancement of all 12 full-year funding bills for Fiscal Year 2026 in the House of Representatives.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I was proud to vote to advance the final full-year government funding bills,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bipartisan package strengthens our national security, improves public safety, supports rural and underserved health centers, and invests in critical infrastructure like our nation’s highways. I’m especially proud to have secured more than $29.9 million for seven infrastructure projects across California’s 22nd Congressional District. From improving local roadways and farm-to-market corridors to expanding senior housing and increasing water supplies, these investments will deliver lasting benefits for our communities. I commend Chairman Cole for his leadership in advancing all 12 appropriations bills and look forward to the President signing them into law.”

Key investments secured by Congressman Valadao in the FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act include:

• $8.1 million for the City of Delano’s Water Plant No. 6 Blending Tank Project to construct a 2-million-gallon concrete blending tank and booster pump station, increasing potable water production by approximately 1.5 million gallons per day and strengthening water reliability for Delano residents. 
• $7.57 million for the Housing Authority of the County of Kern’s Bakersfield Senior Center Housing Project to construct 36 units of affordable senior housing.
• $5 million for the City of Wasco’s Downtown Revitalization Project to reconstruct roads and alleys, improve sidewalks and gutters, expand ADA accessibility, enhance lighting, and upgrade water mains, increasing safety, supporting active transportation, and investing in small businesses in a rural, underserved community.
• $2.5 million for the Tulare County Resource Management Agency’s Avenue 192 and Road 192 Project to rehabilitate key farm-to-market corridors through targeted repairs and a full-width pavement overlay, revitalizing a primary transportation route serving the unincorporated communities of Plainview, Woodville, and Poplar.
• $3 million for the City of Bakersfield’s Monitor Street Safe Route to Schools Project to improve a 1.3-mile segment of Monitor Street from Merrimac Avenue near South High School to Fairview Road, enhancing pedestrian safety and improving quality of life in surrounding disadvantaged neighborhoods.
• $1.25 million for the City of Arvin’s 4th Street Project to make critical roadway and streetscape improvements between Campus Drive and Walnut Street, improving access and safety while supporting future housing and economic development in a rural, farmworker community.
• $2.5 million for the Kern Council of Governments’ State Route 43/7th Standard Road Roundabout Project to replace a rural four-way stop with a safer, trucking-enabled roundabout at the intersection of State Route 43 and 7th Standard Road, improving traffic safety and strengthening a critical goods movement corridor connecting the Cities of Bakersfield and Shafter with access to I-5.

Read the full Consolidated Appropriations Act here.

Read the full Homeland Security Appropriations Act here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) released the following statement after the House passed the remaining appropriations bills and concluded its work on FY26 appropriations:

“By passing the final spending bill for this year’s budget earlier this evening, House Republicans have fulfilled our commitment to fully fund our government for the next year, to cut waste, fraud, and abuse, and to make the America First agenda a reality,” said Rep. Kelly. “I want to thank Speaker Johnson and our entire leadership team for restoring regular order in the House. By passing all twelve appropriations bills, we are advancing a full-year budget that creates certainty in Washington and for the American people.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during a Ways & Means Committee hearing, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), a member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health, called on the CEOS from the nation’s top health insurance companies to publicly support his popular bipartisan legislation, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. The legislation would streamline the Medicare Advantage (MA) Prior Authorization process, increase transparency around MA prior authorization, and more life-saving measures.

“If we can avoid the politics and talk about good policy, we can improve health care and lower costs for all Americans,” said Rep. Kelly. “Today’s hearing with health insurance CEOs highlighted the importance of passing quality bipartisan legislation, including my bill, the ‘Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act,’ which has nearly 250 co-sponsors. It would modernize and streamline the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process. 33 million Americans, including 1.5 million Pennsylvanians, who rely on Medicare Advantage would greatly benefit from this legislation. I call on these CEOs to support it.”

You can watch Rep. Kelly full questioning of the CEOs by clicking here.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act has previously passed the Ways & Means Committee on two separate occasions and has also previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bipartisan legislation has 245 co-sponsors.

The legislation would:

• Establish an electronic prior authorization process for MA plans including a standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.
• Increase transparency around MA prior authorization requirements and its use.
• Clarify HHS’ authority to establish timeframes for e-prior authorization requests including   expedited determinations, real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services, and other prior authorization requests.
• Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.
• Require HHS and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the e-PA process.

You can find bill text here and a section-by-section here.

Hearing witnesses included:

• Stephen Hemsley — CEO, UnitedHealth Group
• David Joyner — Chairman and CEO, CVS Health
• Gail Boudreaux — President and CEO, Elevance Health
• David Cordani — President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, The Cigna Group
• Paul Markovich — President and CEO, Ascendiun

CVS recently endorsed the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

Washington, DC – Congressman Gus Bilirakis today highlighted major policy and funding achievements he helped secure in the FY2026 Appropriations package passed by the House this week. The package includes eight health care policy measures he co-authored and $5.5 million for local projects he sponsored.

Key Bilirakis Authored Policy Wins to Help Seniors and Kids with Cancer:

• Senior Savings Protection Act – Co-authored by Bilirakis, this legislation reauthorizes programs under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), extending $30 million in federal funding through December 31, 2027. MIPPA grants help low-income Medicare beneficiaries access counseling, education, and enrollment assistance. “For years, MIPPA programs have been a lifeline for seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers-helping them save money, access medications, and get the care they deserve,” said Bilirakis.
• PREVENT Diabetes Act – Expands the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) by allowing virtual suppliers to participate, increasing access for rural and homebound patients. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By expanding education and telehealth options, seniors can avoid costly complications and improve their quality of life,” said Bilirakis.
• Cutting Copays Act – Eliminates copays for generic medications under Medicare Part D’s Low Income Subsidy Program, lowering costs for vulnerable seniors. “Seniors should never have to choose between buying groceries and their medications,” Bilirakis noted.
• Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act – Provides $200 million for FY2026 to continue research into Type 1 diabetes, supporting breakthroughs like automated insulin-dosing systems and therapies that reverse vision loss. “Research holds the promise of better treatments and, ultimately, a cure,” said Bilirakis who is co-Chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus.
• Mikaela Naylon Give Kids A Chance Act – Accelerates pediatric cancer treatments and rare disease therapies by combining key programs to spur drug development and improve outcomes. “This bipartisan measure gives children battling cancer and rare diseases a real chance at life,” said Bilirakis.
• Enhanced Funding for Community Health Centers – $4.6 billion included in FY2026, with $1.2 billion allocated for the first quarter, ensuring stability and expanded access to care nationwide.
• Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reforms – PBMs often obscure pricing and drive up medication costs. Bilirakis championed reforms to increase transparency, ensure fair pricing, and lower out-of-pocket costs for patients.
• Delay of Medicare Lab Cuts – Scheduled reductions in Medicare lab services would have limited seniors’ access to essential diagnostics. Bilirakis successfully advocated to delay these cuts, ensuring continued access while providing time to develop sustainable solutions.

Local Funding Wins:

Bilirakis also secured another $5.5 million in federal grant funding for local projects:

• $4 million for housing for low-income seniors in Pasco County
• $1 million for a Hernando County Economic Development Hub
• $500,000 for infrastructure at Moffitt’s Speros campus

These funds add to previously approved appropriations, bringing his total FY26 impact to $20,875,000 in critical projects throughout Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. 

“From protecting seniors and patients to supporting families and local communities, this package delivers meaningful results,” said Bilirakis. “I am proud to fight for policies and projects that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.”