MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Washington, D.C. –Nearly two million Americans claim Greek ancestry.  Representatives Bilirakis and Pappas who serve as Co-Chairs of the Hellenic Caucus are joined by their colleagues, including: Representatives Nicole Malliotakis, Chris Smith, Dina Titus, Frank Pallone, Seth Magaziner, Grace Meng and Gabe Amo in sponsoring a resolution to commemorate the 20^4th anniversary of Greek Independence. The resolution emphasizes the hard-fought struggle for independence of the Greek people, and the historic and dynamic relationship that defines the deep American-Hellenic ties.

“It is with great pride that I recognize the 204^thAnniversary of Greek Independence and celebrate Greek and American democracy. Like the American revolutionaries who fought for independence and established this great republic we call the ‘Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave’, Greek freedom fighters began an arduous struggle to win independence for Greece and its people 204 years ago. The lessons the Greeks taught us continue to provide strength to victims of persecution throughout the world today. By honoring the Greek struggle for independence, we reaffirm the values and ideas that make our nation great. Each time I perform my Constitutional duties, I am doing so in the legacy of the ancient Greeks and our American forefathers. We celebrate Greek independence to reaffirm the common democratic heritage we share. As Americans, we must continue to pursue this spirit of freedom and liberty that characterizes both great nations,” said Congressman Bilirakis.

“As we mark the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence, I join my fellow Greek-Americans and colleagues of the Hellenic Caucus in commemorating the beginning of the Greeks’ fight for freedom after nearly 400 years of occupation by the Ottoman Empire,” said Congressman Pappas. “Greece’s courage and determination for independence mirrors the United States’ own fight for sovereignty and further unites our nations with a shared commitment to freedom and to democracy. Today we recognize the anniversary of Greek Independence and honor those lost in the pursuit of freedom.”

“I’m honored to join Rep. Bilirakis and my colleagues in Hellenic Caucus in celebrating the 204th anniversary of Greece’s Independence from the Ottoman Empire. As a vital NATO ally, Greece plays a critical role in bolstering security in the Mediterranean region and its strong military and economic ties with the United States are essential and continue to grow,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.

“The United States remains steadfast in our bipartisan support for Greece. With this bill, we congratulate the Greek people on their Independence Day, demonstrate our countries’ shared values, and commit to our strong partnership now and in the future. I look forward to many more years of friendship between our countries,” said Representative Pallone.

“On this meaningful anniversary, we recognize the special bond between the United States and Greece and celebrate the boundless spirit of the vibrant Hellenic diaspora,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus. “In Congress, I will ensure the United States remains a steadfast ally and continues to bolster stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.’”

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) re-introduced the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act, which would help the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) recruit and retain the staff necessary to address the significant 200,000-case backlog it currently faces. This bill will be heard in the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee this Wednesday.

“Too often, the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) continues to be a roadblock for timely processing of VA claims,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “The Veteran Appeals backlog unnecessarily delays our nation’s heroes from accessing the benefits they’ve earned and is a concern that has been raised by many of my constituents. Our bill addresses BVA performance and staffing concerns by creating a level playing field with BVA and other federal agencies. When coupled with the quality assurance metrics and accountability measures we have recently pushed, this important piece of the legislation is a key part of the overall solution.”

“Over 30,000 veterans call Louisville home. They deserve a speedy and efficient VA, especially when appealing a denied claim,” said Rep. McGarvey. “I’m proud to champion this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Gus Bilirakis to provide the Board of Veterans’ Appeals with the tools needed to address the claims backlog, retain talented attorneys, and ensure our veterans get the benefits they’ve earned.”

“AFGE and the National Veterans Affairs Council commend Representative Morgan McGarvey and Representative Gus Bilirakis for leading the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act,” said Douglas Massey, President of AFGE Local 17 which represents Board of Veterans’ Appeals attorneys. “This critical legislation will both raise the career ladder of the dedicated board attorneys who diligently process veterans’ appeals and will improve the recruitment and retention of experienced attorneys at the Board, which will greatly reduce the backlog of Veterans’ appeals.”

The Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) adjudicates appeals on Veteran benefits, such as disability compensation and pension benefits. Though progress has been made, BVA faces a 200,000-case backlog with many citing staff turnover – due to lower relative compensation and lack of support by management – as the cause. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act would raise the promotion potential for outstanding BVA attorneys in non-supervisory roles by about $10,000, which would allow BVA to better recruit and retain staff.  The promotion opportunities for attorneys working on Veterans’ claims have been reduced by VA, despite increased cost of living, which hurts recruitment and retention and means America’s Veterans will wait longer for their claims to be decided.

 

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

Washington, DC: –Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) have reintroduced the Major Richard Star Act alongside Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).   This critical legislation will rectify an injustice that keeps combat disabled Veterans from receiving full military benefits. Currently, over 50,000 medically retired Veterans are forbidden from receiving their full retirement pay and disability compensation. The Major Richard Star Act would repeal this unfair offset, allowing these disabled Veterans to receive both their retirement pay and their disability compensation. The bill is named in honor of Major Richard A. Star—a father, husband, and decorated war veteran who, as a result of his combat-related injuries, was medically retired. Major Star sadly lost his battle with cancer on February 13, 2021.   Today, when the bill was re-introduced, it already had the support of over 185 original cosponsors in the House and 43 in the Senate.  

“The brave men and women who return from serving our country should be able to receive the benefits promised to them. Military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation are two completely different benefits. One does not diminish the merits of the other,” said Bilirakis. “I am committed to rectifying this injustice for all Veterans, and passage of the Major Richard Star Act will get us one step closer to our goal of ensuring that Veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve.”

“After serving and sacrificing for our nation, too many veterans face unnecessary roadblocks in receiving the benefits they need, have earned, and deserve,” said Dr. Ruiz. “The Major Richard Star Act would repeal the unjust law that stands in the way of veterans receiving the military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation that they have rightfully earned.”

The Major Richard Star Act is endorsed by all leading Veteran Service Organizations throughout the country.

 

 

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

CHIA Co-Chairs Bilirakis and Schneider Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reclassify Turkey as a Middle Eastern Country

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Mike Thompson (D-CA), as well as U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to increase access to molecular diagnostic testing for rare cancer patients. The Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act would ensure patients on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can receive testing at the time of first diagnosis, rather than only for recurrent or metastatic cancers. The legislation is named after Finn Sawyer, a three-year-old who passed away from a rare cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma in 2018.

“The targeted reforms in our bipartisan, bicameral bill will have a meaningful impact on accelerating the development of treatments for rare cancers and will remove bureaucratic hurdles that currently keep cancer patients from accessing diagnostic screening and effective treatments by qualified specialists,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Every cancer patient deserves the best chance of survival, and we must create a streamlined regulatory system and payment model to realize this important goal. Our bipartisan legislation will provide hope to millions of patients and families battling cancer and will lead to improved patient outcomes.”

“At a time when health care coverage is under threat and essential programs like Medicaid face potentially massive cuts, ensuring access to essential services is more crucial than ever,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “For the thousands of Americans with rare cancers, accurate diagnosis is lifesaving. Molecular diagnostics play a key role in delivering targeted therapies swiftly, potentially improving outcomes for all cancer patients. That’s why I’m proud to co-author the Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act.”

“Americans diagnosed with cancer should have access to the testing they need, when they need it,” said Rep. Thompson. I’m proud to co-sponsor the Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act to ensure patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP can get molecular diagnostic testing right away following their diagnosis. Ensuring this testing is available early on will help doctors improve their treatment plans and save more lives.”

“95 percent of all forms of cancer are considered rare, but far too many patients with rare cancers lack access to accurate and timely molecular diagnostic and treatment options, meaning that hundreds of thousands of Americans can’t receive the effective care they need,” said Senator Klobuchar. “By ensuring patients with rare cancers enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP health coverage, can access molecular diagnostic testing at the time of their initial diagnosis, our bipartisan legislation will help patients receive more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatments much earlier in the course of the cancer, providing patients with a better shot at successful recovery.”

“In honor of Finn Sawyer, his loved ones, and families across the country, we are working to make early molecular testing available to cancer patients at the time of diagnosis,” said Senator Wicker. “This testing should be an option for as many patients as possible. It can improve quality of life, reduce health care costs, and – most importantly – save lives.”

Molecular diagnostic tests provide clinicians with comprehensive data about patients’ unique form of cancer. This data enables patients to use targeted therapies that may have a higher likelihood of success, especially for cancer patients for whom no standard of care exists. Using more precise diagnostic tests also enables patients to better match with relevant clinical trials, and potentially minimizes the unnecessary use of conventional chemotherapy and radiation that can have harmful side-effects. Technological advancements in molecular diagnostics have accelerated in recent years, but lack of insurance coverage and clinician awareness have led to underutilization of these diagnostic tests.

The Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act would:

1. Mandate coverage for molecular diagnostic tests, including microarray analysis, DNA and RNA sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, and other next-generation screening methods, at the time of initial diagnosis for patients on Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP; and
2. Coordinate an education and awareness program on genetic testing. Currently, many health providers and the general public do not have a full understanding of the scope and benefits of molecular diagnostics and genomic testing. This bill will create an education and awareness program in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute to educate physicians and the general public on the use of genomic testing and the role of genetic counselors.

The Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act is endorsed by Cancer Support Community; Elevate Childhood Cancer Research and Advocacy Foundation; Mighty Millie Foundation; First Ascent Biomedical; Friends of TJ Foundation; Focus on Rhabdo; Hope Rises; Tough2gether Foundation; Maddie’s Promise; Sebastian Strong; Summer’s Way Foundation; Super Sam Foundation

The legislation is cosponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Don Bacon (R-NE), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fl), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Jim Himes (D-CT), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Terri Sewell (D-AL), and Don Davis (D-NC). 

 

# # #

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

 Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that Joe Jackson, the Executive Director of Hesed House, will be his guest for President Trump’s address to a Joint Session of Congress.

“I’m proud to have Joe Jackson as my guest for this year’s Joint Address,” said Congressman Foster. “Joe’s organization, Hesed House, is an invaluable resource for those experiencing homelessness in Aurora and the surrounding communities. Joe’s leadership in addressing and preventing homelessness is crucial, especially as the Trump Administration and Elon Musk attempt to unlawfully withhold funding from community organizations and slash federal programs that Illinoisans rely on. The housing crisis is not unique to any one community. I hope Joe’s presence serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to continue funding the services that support our most vulnerable, and to put a stop to Trump’s policies that are making housing even less affordable.”

“I’m honored to represent all of the staff, volunteers, and supporters who make Hesed House possible while joining Congressman Foster at this year’s Joint Address,” said Joe Jackson. “As the largest homeless shelter outside of the city of Chicago, the services we provide at Hesed House are essential to keeping thousands of families and individuals out of unsheltered homelessness. After two straight years of double-digit percentage increases in homelessness in America, it’s critical that the Trump Administration take immediate action to address our nation’s housing crisis and reinstate the federal funding that our organization, and so many other local groups, rely on.”

The Joint Address is on March 4, 2025. 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement: 

“Every member of the Greatest Generation who gave their lives fighting for democracy and the freedom of mankind must be rolling in their graves over the behavior of the most disgraceful President and Vice President our country has ever seen.

“This is a President with no concept of right or wrong, only negotiating leverage. When we were supporting our allies in Europe against Hitler’s attacks, we weren’t focused on our negotiating leverage—we were focused on our duty to democracy.

“Although we have no treaty-level obligation to defend Ukraine, we have a special moral duty to assist Ukraine because of its decision to give up its nuclear weapons at the end of the Cold War, in return for international assurances of its territorial integrity. America must continue to stand on the side of democracy, and we must stand with Ukraine.” 

###

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement:

“Firing 168 National Science Foundation employees is a devastating loss of expertise and institutional knowledge, especially at an agency that contributes so much valuable research on everything from public health to our national defense,” said Foster. “In an era driven by rapid scientific advancement, this action, along with the numerous other attacks on science from the Trump Administration, will hinder innovation and threaten our nation’s global competitiveness.”

###

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Well-Informed, Scientific, & Efficient (WISE) Government Act to better equip federal agencies with the scientific literature necessary to make well-informed policy decisions. This legislation would require the U.S. General Services Administration to work with the Library of Congress, agency libraries, and government information services to identify ways to make accessing scientific literature more efficient and to identify short and long-term solutions. 

“To be able to make well-informed policy decisions, it’s essential that federal agencies are equipped with the most up-to-date information, especially scientific literature,” said Congressman Foster. “It’s unacceptable that employees at federal agencies have a harder time accessing scientific literature than employees at most large universities. This must change if we are serious about growing our economy and promoting innovation. The WISE Government Act will help employees at agencies such as the Department of Defense, EPA, State Department, NASA and others access the latest scientific data in an efficient manner.”

A copy of the legislation is available here.

The WISE Government Act is cosponsored by Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA), Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11) announced the introduction of H.Res.100, a resolution with Reps. John Garamendi (CA-08) and Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chairs of the Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, condemning the Russian Federation’s suspension of its participation in the New START Treaty and supporting the value of international arms control agreements. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) is leading a companion resolution in the Senate.

The New START Treaty will expire on February 4, 2026. It is the last major remaining bilateral nuclear arms control agreement and has provided valuable insight into Russia’s nuclear arsenal, including placing verifiable limits on all Russian deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons. Members of the Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group are deeply concerned about the fraying of the arms control regime as exemplified by the purported suspension of the New START Treaty, Russia’s use of escalatory nuclear rhetoric in service of its war of aggression against Ukraine, and the build-up of China and Iran’s nuclear programs.

The bicameral resolution:

• Condemns the Russian Federation’s escalatory nuclear rhetoric and veiled threats on the potential use of nuclear weapons to further its invasion of Ukraine.
• Condemns the Russian Federation’s purported suspension of the New START Treaty.
• Calls for the Russian Federation to promptly return to full implementation of New START, including on-site inspections, provision of treaty-mandated notifications and data, and resumption of Bilateral Consultative Commission meetings.
• Calls on the Trump Administration to continue to engage the People’s Republic of China in further bilateral talks on nuclear risk reduction and arms control, and to pursue new multilateral arms control efforts.
• Calls on the Trump Administration to continue to pursue nuclear arms control and risk reduction dialogue with the Russian Federation to maintain strategic stability, ensure the conflict in Ukraine does not escalate to nuclear use, and avoid an unrestrained nuclear arms race. 

“As a physicist, preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons has always been one of my top priorities,” said Representative Foster. “Russia’s suspension of the New START Treaty and Putin’s rhetoric about the potential use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine should have the entire international community on high alert and should serve as the impetus for us to pursue substantive nuclear arms control dialogue. American leadership is desperately needed to prevent escalation and avoid an unrestrained nuclear arms race.”

“The Trump administration has an historic opportunity to initiate high-level talks for a new pact and prevent a dangerous and costly nuclear arms race,” said Senator Markey. “I urge President Trump to work with Russia to replace New START and to talk with China about arms control. We are just one year away from losing New START and with it, all legal limits on Russian nuclear forces. There is no time to wait.” 

“For far too long, nuclear weapons have threated our country. Our leadership has long recognized that arms control is the most effective way to ensure American security. In today’s environment, it’s more important than ever that we begin to treat arms control with the same dedication we give our nuclear modernization and begin a constructive dialogue for a New START Treaty. We must strive for a more peaceful future, one without the existential threat of nuclear weapons,” said Representative Garamendi.

“Now more than ever, it is absolutely critical that we redouble our commitment to nuclear nonproliferation,” said Representative Beyer. “The New START treaty is our last major nuclear arms control agreement, and with rising instability overseas the ingredients are there for a runaway nuclear arms race that endangers us all.  This resolution demonstrates broad bicameral support for a renewal of New START and further arms control talks with other nuclear arms states that will help avert the potential global catastrophe that is a nuclear exchange.”

A copy of the resolution is available here.

House cosponsors include Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Sean Casten (IL-06), and Dina Titus (NV-01). 

###