If passed, the legislation would allow the VA to work with surrounding communities on critical infrastructure projects, such as drainage tunnels, road improvements, and flood walls if they benefited veterans medical facilities.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs, is co-sponsoring a law that would allow the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to provide funding to state and local governments for infrastructure projects that support VA medical facilities.

Currently, the VA is not authorized to fund infrastructure projects off of VA property. The bipartisan VA Community Infrastructure Act would enable the VA to work with surrounding communities on critical infrastructure projects, such as drainage tunnels, road improvements, and flood walls.

Sometimes nearby flooding conditions compromise access to VA facilities around the country during times when veterans might need it the most, Bilirakis said. This legislation offers the VA the discretion to fund such infrastructure projects, whereby addressing critical community needs and ensuring veterans can safely access the care they deserve.

“We have to address critical infrastructure needs throughout our country. As part of that initiative, our commonsense bill tackles those issues in areas that are contiguous to VA facilities located in flood prone areas, such as the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, which many of my veteran constituents rely on for care,” Bilirakis said. “This is one important way we can ensure veterans are able to access the care they need at VA medical centers, regardless of weather conditions.”

Bilirakis’ co-sponsor for the bill is Democrat Joe Cunningham, who represents South Carolina’s First Congressional District.

Bilirakis represents Florida’s 12th Congressional District, which includes all of Pasco and northern parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

For information about Bilirakis, go to bilirakis.house.gov.

Gus Bilirakis | Veterans | Politics | Tampabay News

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