Bilirakis To Be Appointed Special Advisor for Veterans' Affairs

Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) told The Floridian he would be appointed as Special Advisor to Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in an exclusive interview, where he also spoke about how House Republicans handle veterans' issues compared to Democrats, saying "I think we actually get things done instead of talking about it."

Rep. Bilirakis began by describing his new post, which will involve quarterly meetings and a report on what priorities veterans need.

"We are going to meet every quarter and we can give [Speaker McCarthy] a report. Because I have so many [Veterans' Service Organizations] now, they come in to see me on different issues. And I have a real strong advisory council in all three counties [of his Congressional district]. And we are going to get their feedback and see what priorities are for veterans," explained Rep. Bilirakis.

The Floridian asked Bilirakis how House Republicans handle veterans' issues compared to Democrats, and he answered, "I think we actually get things done instead of talking about it."

"I think we actually get things done instead of talking about it, and we do so in a fiscally responsible manner. We worked very well, I mean, in my experience, this is my 17th year; 14 of those years were on the Veterans' Committee, most of that time as Vice Chairman. And I think we follow through. We try not to make it political as opposed to the other side, and in a lot of cases, not just this case, but with regard to seniors, we have done so much for seniors, but we do not politicize it. So we are in a really good policy," said Bilirakis.

In May, Bilirakis snapped at Democrats and the Biden Administration for claiming the Republican-led Limit, Save, and Grow Act would cut funding for veterans' benefits, despite the bill categorizing benefits as "mandatory" funds rather than "discretionary" funds. 

"The VA Secretary and some of my Democrat Congressional colleagues are spreading false information and fear-mongering to make up for their lack of viable solutions to our soaring national debt. We have vowed to protect Veteran programs from cuts and are demanding accountability for the lies that are being spread," Bilirakis tweeted.