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Bilirakis Bill for Disabled Veterans’ Travel Passes

GusBillirakis|thCongressionalDistrict|Politics

The new law will allow veterans who have a 100 percent, service-connected disability to travel on military aircraft when space is available.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs, announced that his proposal, the Special Priority on Aircrafts and Coverage Equity Act, was been signed into law Monday (Aug. 13) as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

The provision will allow veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability to travel on military aircraft when there is extra space onboard.

“The space available travel program is a benefit rightfully extended to all military retirees, yet it excludes those who are 100 percent disabled,” Bilirakis said. “The brave men and women who served our country, and returned home injured, have already paid a big price on our behalf.  If there is space available for travel on a military aircraft, there is no reason our 100 percent disabled veterans shouldn’t be on that flight. Like most good ideas, this legislation originated from a local constituent. It has been my privilege to fight for this common sense provision that will assist our disabled veterans.”

This is the eighth provision authored by Bilirakis that has been signed into law since January 2017.  An additional nine Bilirakis initiatives have passed the House and are awaiting Senate action.The complete listing of Bilirakis-sponsored initiatives that have been signed into law this Congress, and those which have passed the House are available at bilirakis.house.gov.

“President Reagan once talked about how much we can accomplish if we don’t care who gets the credit. That’s been my approach to ensuring that these tangible public policy improvements get enacted. I rely on my bipartisan relationships with committee leadership, other members of Congress and staff to achieve consensus and have these measures placed in large must-pass bills. These are important provisions that will improve the lives of the constituents in District 12,” Bilirakis said.

Bilirakis represents Florida’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. CD 12 includes all of Pasco and northern parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Gus Bilirakis | Veterans | Politics | Tampabay News | Local News

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