U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has served as a member of the influential VA Economic Opportunity Subcommittee for several years.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs, was chosen Wednesday (Jan. 30) by House leadership to serve as the ranking member of the VA Economic Opportunity Subcommittee for this term.

A ranking member is the most senior member of a committee from the minority party. Bilirakis has served as a member of this influential subcommittee for several years during which time he said he has been a passionate advocate for improving the transition process for military personnel as they reintegrate into civilian life. He has also previously spearheaded initiatives to enhance GI Bill benefits, including protecting veterans from being preyed upon by unscrupulous learning institutions and ensuring that veterans cannot be penalized for bureaucratic delays in processing GI Bill payments.

“There is more work to be done, especially when it comes to improving the transition process. We want to ensure that veterans are poised to leverage their high quality training, real world experience and leadership skills when they enter the civilian workforce,” Bilirakis said.

He added, “I look forward to removing barriers to economic success that face Veterans as they seek to advance their careers and provide for their families. I am eager to partner with subcommittee Chairman Mike Levin [D-CA} in a bipartisan manner to accomplish this important goal.”

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-TN, the current ranking member on the Veterans Affairs Committee, said, “I am excited to have Rep. Bilirakis continue in a leadership role on the committee and look forward to his new role as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. He has been a steadfast advocate for veterans and I know that he will be a great leader on this subcommittee, as well as a strong role model for our new committee members.”

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 | Politics | Veterans | Tampabay News

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