Veteran Affairs
Along with up-to-date political coverage, The Floridian takes the opportunity to post about issues, news, and legislation, on Veterans and Veterans Affairs
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) announced a new bill designating the only National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Museum and Memorial in the U.S., located in Jacksonville, Fla., as a National Landmark. U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), the House sponsor and original proponent of the legislation, joined Sen. Moody at the former Naval Air […]
U.S. Veterans and Democratic officials have reacted to President Donald Trump’s recent wave of threats to Iran, labeling the president’s warnings as a “war crime,” with several officials calling for the president’s removal from office. Alex Tabet, a reporter for MS Now, interviewed several U.S. Veterans at American Legion South Miami Post-31 in Miami, FL. […]
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) announced the introduction of the GI Bill Transferability Act and SCHEDULES Act, two bills that seek to provide aid to U.S. servicemen and women by broadening access to education benefits and enhancing accountability within the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) for members. According to a press release from the Senator’s Office, […]
Florida Congresswoman and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), alongside Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D) released a joint statement this week, slamming the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for suspending their cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), removing barriers that prevent individuals who may pose a threat to themselves […]
Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) has introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation promoting a "food as medicine" approach to support veterans with diet-related chronic illnesses. Specifically, Rep. Buchanan's Produce Prescription for Veterans Act authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prescribe special diets and to issue debit cards or vouchers that veterans can use to purchase fresh […]
In an exclusive interview with The Floridian, Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) discussed housing reforms for active-duty military and veterans, expressing confidence in the Secretaries of War and Veterans Affairs under President Donald Trump to carry out this agenda. Reminding that both Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins are military […]
Representatives Greg Steube (R-FL) and Susie Lee (D-NV) are introducing bipartisan legislation encouraging businesses to hire student veterans. The mechanism through which the Hire Student Veterans Act seeks to achieve this is through the expansion of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, a tax credit offered to employers that encourages them to hire groups that have difficulty […]
Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Lois Frankel (D-FL) are introducing bipartisan legislation to assist student veterans in their transition from military to academic life. Specifically, the Veteran Education Empowerment Act reauthorizes the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success grant program, which helps colleges and universities establish Student Veteran Success Centers. As the name suggests, these […]
Representative Cory Mills (R-FL) is cosponsoring Representative Jen Kiggans' (R-VA) bill improving disabled veterans' Thrift Savings Plans (TSPs). A Thrift Savings Plan is effectively a retirement fund for veterans. However, once members leave the service and/or are rated as 100% disabled, they are not allowed to continue contributing funds to the system, even if it […]
Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) has introduced the bipartisan Veterans' Bill of Rights Act to ensure our nation's heroes receive the benefits and services they deserve. Specifically, the bill codifies that veterans have the right to fair treatment, privacy, timely health care (including community care), mental health and family support, housing and job assistance, education benefits, […]
Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL) is spearheading a letter to Representatives John Carter (R-TX) and Jack Bergman (R-MI) demanding a full review of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) amidst numerous reports of unsafe housing conditions. Chairman Carter heads the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee (House Appropriations), while Chair Bergman is the head of the […]
The House passed Florida Congressman Brian Mast's (R) “Transitioning Retiring And New Service Members to Port, Ocean, Rail, and Truck (TRANSPORT) Jobs Act” in a bid to boost the U.S. economy while supplying veterans with careers after retirement. “The TRANSPORT Jobs Act works for two reasons: it connects veterans with careers in trucking, rail, shipping, […]
Florida Democratic Representative Kathy Castor has introduced amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in support of the health of service members, safe housing for military families, and higher pay. Rep. Castor, in a press conference, emphasized the need to protect medical institutions like the Sabal Park Clinic due to its […]
Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) is introducing legislation that provides flexibility to veterans who hold professional licenses, allowing them to more easily secure employment after military service. As Rep. Patronis explained, under current law, veterans and their spouses with medical, engineering, or other licenses must receive approval from state and local professional authorities to practice their […]
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) is introducing a bill improving the transparency of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prescription practices. Specifically, Rep. Bilirakis's Written Informed Consent Act requires the VA to inform veterans through writing of the potential side effects of drugs such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants, anxiolytics, and narcotics prescribed through their system. Additionally, a […]
Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) praised the passage of the 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, saying, "I'm grateful for President Trump's and Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership in the passage of this pro-military, pro-veteran legislation." As Rep. Patronis's press release described, $452 billion is directed to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), […]
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) vowed to continue pushing for passage of his Major Richard Star Act in a recent post to X (formerly Twitter). The post responded to a story from Alternet.org describing the plight of the U.S. Army veteran Dan Nevins, who lost two limbs after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated under his […]
Representatives Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (D-FL) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) are introducing a bipartisan bill improving the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. Specifically, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act strengthens oversight of the program and requires the VA to report on the employment numbers and annual wages of […]
