If passed, the legislation would extend the “space available” travel benefit on military aircraft to veterans who are 100 percent disabled.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, has introduced legislation designed to extend a travel benefit to disabled veterans.

The Special Priority on Aircrafts and Coverage Equity Act would allow veterans who have a service-connected disability to use a travel benefit currently extended to retired military members. Right now, 100 percent disabled veterans are considered ineligible for the Space Available Travel benefit, which permits military retirees to travel on military aircraft when there is extra space on board.

“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 veterans who are 100 percent disabled shouldn’t be on that flight. I will continue to stand up for our nation’s heroes to ensure they are treated with the dignity they have earned and deserve.”

SPACE-A has received support from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Military Retiree Association, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, the National Federation of the Blind, and the Blinded Veterans Association.

Bilirakis, who is vice chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, represents Florida Congressional District 12, which includes north Pinellas County and portions of Pasco County.

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

Gus Bilirakis | Veterans | Disabled Veterans | Military Travel | Politics | TB Reporter

#GusBilirakis #Veterans #DisabledVeterans #MilitaryTravel #Politics #TBReporter