Gus Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it very much. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this legislation, and I am glad we are addressing this very important issue on the House floor today. Each day, I hear from constituents in Florida's 12th Congressional District who are experiencing the negative impacts of ObamaCare. Contrary to the very promises the law was sold on, my constituents have lost their health care coverage, have seen their premiums rise, and were forced to choose new doctors. Now they are faced with concerns regarding their personal information and whether it is compromised--all because the President's signature law was never really ready for prime time. The Energy and Commerce Committee, which I am a member of, has held numerous hearings into the failed Web site and the lack of testing that occurred to ensure the Web site was properly secured. In these hearings, we have learned that 30 to 40 percent of the Web site isn't built; end-to-end security testing wasn't performed; and CMS' own chief security information officer recommended against an Authority to Operate because of cybersecurity concerns. Her memo even stated: There is no confidence that personally identifiable information will be protected. It was the administrator of CMS, not that chief information officer, that signed off on the ATO. Mr. Speaker, does this sound like a safe and secure Web site? Millions of Americans were forced to sign up for the exchanges in order to avoid individual mandate fines. And now each of these individuals, including myself and many in this Chamber, are potential victims of identity theft. While privacy in the health care realm is typically protected by HIPAA, it does not apply to HHS or the federally run exchanges. Furthermore, data notification is critical to maintaining security, and individuals should be notified when their personal information could be compromised. Yet, in the final rules HHS published in August, it did not finalize a data breach notification rule. Instead, it stated that it is up to ``CMS to determine whether a risk of harm exists and if individuals need to be notified.'' A government bureaucrat, Mr. Speaker, should not be given the power to determine whether the loss of personally identifiable information constitutes harm. We do not know how many breaches have occurred on healthcare.gov, whether due to the accidental sharing of information or otherwise, because there is currently no public disclosure requirement. The Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act will bring accountability and transparency to the administration and the health care exchanges. I strongly urge my colleagues in the House to support this bill today, and I urge all, of course, our colleagues in the Senate to swiftly take up this bill so that we may pass it into law.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, December 12, 2013, I missed rollcall vote No. 641 for unavoidable reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 641: ``aye'' (On passage of H. Res. 441.)

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the Public Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2013. This legislation seeks to modernize the Corps permitting process so that crucial public safety infrastructure projects can be built in a sensible and timely fashion while ensuring there is a thorough environmental review. The National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Water Act guide the Corps' actions to protect our Nation's waterways, but they have flaws that lead to unnecessary and costly delays that do not balance public safety needs against appropriate environmental protections. Under current law, fringe groups are allowed to--for the cost of a postage stamp--file lawsuits against any infrastructure project needing a Clean Water Permit that they spot in the Federal Register. These lawsuits, and the fear of them, have stopped numerous projects that were necessary for local governments to protect their constituents and would have caused minimal harm to the environment. My legislation would modernize the application process for CWA permits submitted by local governments that are for levees, self-closing flood barriers, seawalls, flood gates, slough and stream construction and dredging for flood control, retention ponds for residential areas, and roads and bridges for hurricane, wildfire, and other extreme weather event evacuations. It creates firm time limits for the Corps to act, and a petition process should the agency be unwilling to complete consideration of the project. The legislation also caps mitigation costs to being no more than twenty percent of the total project's cost to ensure projects costs are responsible to the taxpayer. This legislation does not waive NEPA and protects practical environmental review. With local governments struggling to allocate scarce taxpayer dollars for badly needed public safety projects, we must ensure the Federal Government properly balances public safety and environmental concerns. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this legislation through Congress.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the unification of the Island of Crete with the Hellenic Republic. On December 1, 1913, the flag of Greece was raised proudly on the Island, recognizing the will of the people of Crete who declared their unification with Greece, breaking ties with the oppressive Ottoman Empire which had occupied the island since 1669. Sitting at the crossroads of Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Crete, one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean, is matched by its oversized influence throughout world history. Crete was home to the Minoan civilization, a major center for the Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman empires, and birthplace to some of the world's most renowned artists--like Nobel laureate Odysseus Elytis and composer, Mikis Theodorakis. During their struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire, the people of Crete endured political oppression and unspeakable atrocities, but they never stopped living their lives under the creed ``Elefteria I Thanatos'' ``Freedom or Death.'' Since rejoining with Greece, Crete has remained a pillar of the fight against tyranny and oppressive regimes. Nowhere was this exhibited more than during the Battle of Crete, when Cretans stood alongside Allied troops and fought off German paratroopers. And--like Crete itself--the Battle had an oversized influence on the outcome of World War II. The damage the Cretans and their Western allies inflicted on the German air force and paratrooper corps prevented Nazi Germany from carrying out another airborne invasion for the remainder of World War II. For over 267 years, the people of Crete fought a brave battle to rejoin their Greek motherland and I stand here today to recognize their sacrifices and honor their memories.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3521, and I urge all my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation that will allow the VA to move forward with these 27 leases in order to better serve the veterans, our true American heroes, across the country. The veterans in and around the Tampa Bay area will be particularly served by this legislation. The VA recently approved a plan that would take the currently strained five existing clinics that are spread out over a large area and consolidate them into a convenient one-stop facility. This would allow the VA to better meet the growing needs of the veterans community with diverse health status. However, because of the technical issues we are solving today, this project had not been able to move forward. By passing this bill, the House will allow for not only the consolidation of our five medical clinics in my congressional district into one property, but for 26 other equally important projects to move forward across the country improving access for our heroes. This would not have been done, Mr. Speaker, without our great chairman here, Mr. Miller, and our ranking member, Mr. Michaud, so thank you so very much. I know that our true American heroes, our veterans, appreciate it very much. I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, homeowners in my home State of Florida and across the country face significant flood insurance rate increases as a result of the reforms made to address the solvency of the National Flood Insurance Program. To ensure that NFIP remains both affordable for homeowners and sustainable for taxpayers, I have introduced H.R. 3312, the Homeowners Flood Insurance Relief Act. The bill would cap a homeowner's premiums at the end of a 10-year phase-in to no more than the appraised value of the structure over the course of a 30-year mortgage. It would also allow homeowners to pay premiums on a more affordable monthly basis rather than an annual lump sum. These commonsense changes will ensure that homeowners stay in the program and any increased premiums do not harm the already fragile housing market's recovery. Furthermore, they continue the intent of the NFIP, protecting homeowners from devastating floods while also ensuring the program is able to cover its costs. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this legislation forward.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, I missed rollcall vote No. 600 for unavoidable reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: rollcall No. 600: ``aye'' (On passage of H.R. 1965.)

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for sponsoring this great bill. In my State of Florida, 300,000 individuals have lost their health care plans due to ObamaCare, and hardworking Americans, like my constituent Mark from Pasco County, are being adversely affected by this law. Mark currently has a plan that he likes, but ObamaCare will take it away. His new equivalent plan on the exchange comes with a $12,000 deductible and $1,000 monthly premiums. He and his wife are about 60 years old and do not qualify for subsidies. They are very healthy, but they are punished, Mr. Speaker. I don't understand, they are punished by the President's health care law. That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Keep Your Health Plan Act to remove the barriers preventing hardworking Americans from keeping their health care plans under ObamaCare. We need to pass this bill so we can give the American people the peace of mind they deserve.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and service of someone I admire greatly for his wisdom and humility, by dear friend and mentor, Chairman Bill Young. While I always referred to him as ``Chairman'' because of the respect he commanded, he used to beg me not to use that term, insisting, in his typical humble fashion, as Mr. Farr alluded to, that we were all equal in this Chamber. Over the past five decades, the Chairman graciously served Florida and the Tampa Bay area, leading many projects and initiatives to promote economic growth and create jobs back at home. His contributions to his district, the entire Tampa Bay area, and to the military in particular, are immeasurable. He was instrumental in saving MacDill Air Force Base and helped grow Tampa Bay into a hub for our defense industry. In addition, he played a significant role in winning critical funding for Bay Pines Veterans Administration Medical Center, which supports a large number of veterans in our area. For his efforts, my colleague and I have joined together in support of renaming this valuable medical facility in his honor. His contributions also extend to higher education with his role in developing centers of excellence in technology and marine science at the University of South Florida. Finally, we will all remember his work on behalf of sick children in creating a national registry for bone marrow donors. While the Chairman came from humble beginnings, he has left behind a rich legacy that we, as Members of Congress and Americans, must all aspire to achieve. The Chairman was never afraid to reach across the aisle and always worked for the greater good. I am extremely thankful that I was able to express my gratitude and admiration to him last week when I visited him at his bedside. I told him how much his colleagues and constituents loved him and appreciated all he did for them. In closing, I wanted to share a few words from a final letter my father, former Congressman Mike Bilirakis, sent to his former colleague: Dear Bill: Since we are roughly the same age (remember, I am 5 months older so we've joked about ``respecting your elders''), we have expected that this day would come for both of us but first for me and not so soon. We grew up in the same Pittsburgh area at the same time--tough depression poverty, which made us tough. We didn't know each other then, but I guess our Lord decreed we would meet in Pinellas County, Florida, years later. We worked hard, climbed out of poverty and became successful--the good old American way. Bill, you have earned eternal rest, but our world will certainly miss you. The Florida corner in the House Chambers will miss you as well. Thanks for being my friend and, in many ways, a younger mentor. Thanks for being a great American patriot. Thanks for the good you have done for all of us. Yours has been a life well lived. May your memory be eternal. We will certainly miss you, Mr. Chairman. General Leave

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the Homeowners Flood Insurance Relief Act of 2013. This legislation seeks to ensure the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) remains affordable for homeowners and sustainable for taxpayers. Homeowners across the country face significantly increased rates as a result of reforms made to address the solvency of the program in 2012. Congress reformed the NFIP in 2012 as part of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. These reforms required premiums to reflect the cost of coverage to ensure the program was solvent, but rates are increasing so quickly that the reforms may be counterproductive. As the Tampa Tribune recently noted, ``For properties in low-lying areas, especially near the coast, annual rates may double or go up tenfold, depending on base flood elevation, exceeding $20,000 a year in some cases.'' Congress did not intend to create such significant increases, and they have the potential to harm the program by limiting program participation and freezing the already fragile housing market. The bill would cap a homeowner's premiums to being no more than the appraised value of the structure over the course of a thirty-year mortgage. It also phases-in rate increases over ten years and would allow homeowners to pay premiums on a monthly basis, rather than an annual lump sum. These commonsense changes will ensure that the homeowners stay in the program and any increased premiums do not harm the housing market's recovery. This legislation continues the intent of the NFIP is to protect homeowners from devastating floods while ensuring the program is able to cover its costs. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this legislation through Congress. [From the Tampa Tribune] Flood Insurance Rate Hikes Threaten `Old Florida' Communities (By Josh Boatwright) Pass-a-Grille.--Many of the beach cottages, motels and storefronts on this barrier island have been here nearly 100 years. They've endured a series of tropical storms but avoided a direct hit. While dozens have been razed in recent decades, some replaced by palatial beach homes, Pass-A-Grille's character as a quiet Gulf Coast village has essentially endured. What residents and merchants fear may wipe out their beloved historic district isn't a catastrophic flood--it's rising flood insurance costs. ``There aren't too many places like this in Florida anymore. We've got all these McMansions and condos,'' said Bill Thompson, a member of the St. Pete Beach Historic Preservation Board. ``If it [flood insurance reform] goes into effect, we're going to lose our historic properties in Pass-A-Grille. There's just no two ways about it.'' For coastal towns that have built a community, and tourism economy, around offering visitors an authentic ``Old Florida'' experience, unaffordable flood insurance rates could drive shopkeepers out of business and retirees on fixed incomes out of their homes. Only 20 percent of all policies provided by the National Flood Insurance Program nationwide will see their premiums rise this year as a result of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act. The changes are set to take effect Tuesday, unless Congress acts to stop or delay that from happening. But as the government removes grandfathered rates for thousands of homes built before modern flood maps, owners of historic properties face a dilemma: raise their floor height above base flood elevation or pay exorbitant premiums. There's another option Pass-A-Grille residents especially fear, and that's tearing down the old bungalows and replacing them with multimillion-dollar homes built to modern flood standards. Former St. Pete Beach city commissioner Bev Jackson envisions rows of uniform two- and three-story homes raised above garages such as the Florida Panhandle community that became famous for its uniformity as a set for the 1998 film ``The Truman Show.'' ``We're going to be Seaside,'' Jackson said. The full impact of the federal flood insurance reform still remains foggy for many historic districts along Florida's coast. In St. Augustine, the oldest European settlement in the United States, shops, restaurants and cathedrals built of wood and coquina shell flood frequently when big storms sweep over the nearby Matanzas River. Rather than raise these aging structures above flood elevation, many property owners are encouraged to take other measures, such as installing dams on their doorways to keep water out, city Planning Director Mark Knight said. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which runs the flood insurance program, allows historic districts to avoid regulations meant to make property owners either raise their building heights or rebuild according to current code. Improvements that increase a property's value by 50 percent or more generally trigger those requirements, but cities can make historic buildings exempt from the rule, as long as nothing is done to compromise their historic characters. Those rules will still apply under Biggert-Waters, but historic properties won't be exempt from the same rate hikes facing all other older homes. For properties in low-lying areas, especially near the coast, annual rates may double or go up tenfold, depending on base flood elevation, exceeding $20,000 a year in some cases. Because flood coverage is required only for holders of federally backed mortgages, Carl Hollenback says he'll drop his policy on the Seahorse Restaurant in Pass-A-Grille if rates climb as expected under the new law. ``I'll take my chances,'' said Hollenback, who has paid off his mortgage on the restaurant. The Seahorse has operated as a restaurant for 75 years at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Pass-A-Grille Way, directly across the street from the Intracoastal Waterway. In Hollenback's 35 years of ownership, the restaurant has flooded 15 times, being located at one of the lowest points on a narrow stretch of land between the Gulf of Mexico and the intracoastal. Each time, he wipes down the tile floor, lets the building air out and reopens. He filed one claim when a commercial fryer he had just bought for $4,500 was ruined; he got back $2,400. Many residents are galled by what they see as the unfairness of the national flood program, which has collected about $16 billion from Floridians in the past 35 years--four times more than what they received back in claims. Amy Loughery, the longtime owner of the boutique store Bamboozle on Eighth Avenue, says the government encouraged communities such as hers to embrace preservation by becoming part of the National Register of Historic Places. The new law undermines that preservation goal, she said. ``Which is it? We encouraged all these homeowners to keep their smaller properties, keep within the historic guidelines of our community,'' said Loughery, who has served on the city's preservation board. ``Only now we're going to say, oops, sorry; we're going to rip that rug right out from under you.'' Loughery leases her store, a 1930s-era building, and doesn't yet know how much of an increase to expect in her rent in the coming years. While state and federal grants are available to help homeowners purchase and restore historic properties, there's no assistance available to defray ongoing costs such as maintenance and insurance, said Anne Peery, executive director of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. The changes to the flood insurance law won't impact all Florida towns equally, but preservationists such as Peery worry it will cause more people to shy away from investing in historic properties. The funky beach cottages in Florida's most famous waterfront town, Key West, will largely be unaffected by Biggert-Waters because most of them were built on high ground and remain above base flood levels, said Diane Silvia, preservation planner for Monroe County. What will become of the rickety wooden restaurants and shops that have come to characterize Old Florida in towns such as Cedar Key and Apalachicola isn't clear yet. City leaders in Apalachicola had sought to cap building heights at about two stories to maintain the quaint character of this waterfront town, which has buildings dating back to the 1830s. That may be impractical, as most of the town is already below base flood elevation and will need to rise to avoid high premium costs, said Anita Grove of the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce. ``It's going to take some time to absorb everything that's happening,'' Grove said. Bruno Falkenstein has spent years studying FEMA's flood program, which he blames for driving Pass-A-Grille property owners to prefer new construction to restoration. As a former St. Pete Beach commissioner, Falkenstein urged the city to adopt the exemption that allows owners to improve historic buildings without bringing them up to flood code. His grandfather moved here after World War II on the recommendation of a fellow soldier who told him that Pass-A- Grille was paradise. His family owns several properties, including the two- story Hurricane restaurant on Gulf Way. FEMA, he says, has long used a broad brush to create its flood maps, ignoring the fact that few Pass-A-Grille homes have sustained serious flood damage in the past 100 years. Flood premiums ought to be based on history. Most properties in his community have clearly stood the test of time, he said. ``When you start looking at the history and you start saying to yourself `What did they do at the turn of the century? Why was it that they built the homes like they did?' '' said Falkenstein. ``The homes themselves, when they were originally built, were elevated. It's almost like the old-timers knew the height where the water was going to come.''

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 379 cosponsors, what a testament. What a wonderful man. What a great man. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly support this legislation. Over the past five decades, Chairman Young selflessly served Florida and the Tampa Bay area, leading many initiatives to promote economic growth, create jobs, of which his contributions to the military and veterans in particular are immeasurable. In the 1970s, the chairman played a significant role in winning critical funding for the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which allows the facilities to support almost 100,000, Mr. Speaker, of our heroes in our area today. With this funding, Bay Pines was able to increase the size of its campus, replace the hospital, and now offers a wide variety of services to these veterans in their backyard because of Chairman Young. Chairman Young has left behind a rich legacy in support of our heroes, especially those in the Tampa Bay area. By renaming this important facility in his honor, we will provide a lasting monument to remember a great friend, Chairman Bill Young.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Madam Speaker, I rise today to show my support for the continued funding for our veterans and military personnel in the Reserve components. As vice chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I always find myself in awe of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform have made in service to our great country. I remain committed to ending this government shutdown and to fighting to protect the American people. I have joined my House colleagues to vote multiple times to keep the government open and to make sure that Members of Congress face the same consequences under ObamaCare that hardworking Americans across the country face. It is my desire, my sincere hope, that the Senate and the President will come together as soon as possible to join the House in a civil and open dialogue. We need to enact a fair solution to this situation that serves all Americans, particularly our Nation's heroes who have so bravely served us.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the heroic efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Eric Ray of the United States Army. Lieutenant Colonel Ray, who lives in Tarpon Springs, Florida, was a platoon leader in the 25th Infantry Division and was awarded the Medal of Honor for profound bravery in action on June 19, 1969, in Vietnam. When one of his patrol teams was ambushed, Lieutenant Colonel Ray set up a defensive perimeter while eliminating multiple Vietcong positions with grenades and rifle fire. Lieutenant Colonel Ray then began directing air and medical support into the area. When a grenade fell between two of his men, he threw himself upon it, shielding them from the blast, but sustaining multiple shrapnel wounds himself. Though wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Ray remained on the field and provided effective fire support until the last of his men were safely extracted. It is for his courage and commitment to his men that I am proud to honor and remember the actions of Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Eric Ray.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act. I want to thank Mr. McKinley and his staff for their hard work on this very important issue. This commonsense legislation will empower States to safely regulate coal combustion products by fixed standards without overwhelming State budgets or customers' wallets. The recycling and reuse of coal combustion products has great economic and environmental benefits-- creating jobs, reducing emissions, extending the life and durability of the Nation's roads and bridges, and reducing deposits in landfills and surface impoundments. This legislation will provide the certainty States, utilities, and businesses depend on, all while giving the EPA the authority to protect the public should a State fail to enforce these strong standards. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark an anniversary that has pained the Cypriot and Hellenic communities for 39 years. On July 20, 1974, in blatant violation of international law, Turkey violently invaded Cyprus and captured the northern part of the island. Since the invasion, Turkey has established a heavily armed military occupation that continues to control nearly 40 percent of Cyprus and has forced 160,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes. Mr. Speaker, it is not impossible to conceive a unified Cyprus that respects the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots. Cyprus has long been a strong and faithful ally of the United States, and we owe our support for both peace and the end of this illegal occupation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the Hurricane and Tornado Mitigation Investment Act of 2013. This legislation seeks to encourage individuals and businesses to take proactive preparedness measures to protect their property from potential storm damage. Recent tornado outbreaks across the country this spring, and the impending start of the Atlantic hurricane season, remind us that weather-related emergencies and disasters are ever-present. The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual and business taxpayers a tax credit for a portion of their qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures for any taxable year. They would be eligible when they take steps to improve the strength of a roof deck attachment; create a secondary water barrier; improve the durability of a roof covering; brace gable-end walls; reinforce the connections between a roof and supporting wall; protect against windborne debris; or protect exterior doors and garages. In short, this legislation will help communities mitigate against future weather related hazards. Taking mitigation steps now can make a huge difference. In many cases, it may help to reduce loss of life and property damage, while saving money and reducing insurance rates in the long run. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this legislation through Congress.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, last week the administration announced it would delay the employer mandate under ObamaCare. Even though the administration does not have the authority to do this, it is a sign that even the law's authors are realizing the law is unworkable. Under ObamaCare, Americans' premiums are skyrocketing and employers are being forced to cut jobs, hours, and wages. Individuals, families, and businesses all deserve relief from this bad law. This is about fairness--fairness for both hardworking taxpayers and American businesses. While I have long opposed ObamaCare and believe the best solution is full repeal and replacement of the law, we must pass the Authority for Mandate Delay Act to provide greater certainty to all Americans.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, July 11, 2013, I missed rollcall vote No. 348 for unavoidable reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: rollcall No. 348: ``nay'' (on motion to adjourn).

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the National Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month. Head injuries are the signature and oftentimes invisible wounds of our recent wars. These injuries are not a sign of weakness or a character flaw but, rather, the potential catalyst of more serious illnesses, like traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Nearly one-third of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who received VA health care in the decade after 2001 were diagnosed with PTSD, and the numbers, unfortunately, are only expected to climb. We must tear down the stigma surrounding head injuries and ensure veterans have timely access to quality care, particularly in situations of TBI and PTSD. As we mark PTSD Awareness Month, let's work together to address these important issues by drawing attention to the real dangers head injuries present and encourage our servicemembers to seek treatment.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise today in support of my amendment, which would allow disabled veterans with a service-connected permanent disability rated as ``total'' to travel on military aircraft on a space-available basis. My amendment would allow disabled veterans, who have bravely served our country and who have made enormous personal sacrifices that follow them in their daily lives, to travel through the Space-A program at no additional cost to the Department of Defense. The space-available program is a DOD program which allows Active Duty servicemembers, their families, retirees, and certain others to fill empty seats on DOD flights. While Active Duty members and their families will remain the primary beneficiaries of this program in order to assist them with the rigors of military life, my amendment allows these veterans the same benefit. I would like to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith and their staffs for their assistance in the amendment process.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer solutions for seniors who are hard of hearing. Under current Medicare rules, seniors are unable to visit the audiologists of their choice due to a payment structure that classifies these specialists differently based on their locations. Even though they offer the same care, an in-practice audiologist for an ENT can bill services directly to Medicare under the ENT's provider number. However, if the patient is referred to an independent audiologist, he cannot bill these services directly. The Medicare Audiology Services Enhancement Act, which I will introduce this week, will end this inequity and allow independent audiologists to directly bill Medicare--expanding access to care for our seniors. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and ENT physicians across the country have already expressed support. I urge my colleagues to sign on to this good piece of legislation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, June 3rd, 2013, I missed rollcall vote Nos. 184 and 185 for unavoidable reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 184: ``yea'' (On motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1206, the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2013). Rollcall No. 185: ``yea'' (On motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 622, the Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Reauthorization Act of 2013).

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the Hurricane and Tornado Mitigation Investment Act of 2013. This legislation seeks to encourage individuals and businesses to take proactive preparedness measures to protect their property from potential storm damage. Recent tornado outbreaks across the country this spring, and the impending start of the Atlantic hurricane season, remind us that weather-related emergencies and disasters are ever-present. The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual and business taxpayers in certain states a tax credit for a portion of their qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures for any taxable year. They would be eligible when they take steps to improve the strength of a roof deck attachment; create a secondary water barrier; improve the durability of a roof covering; brace gable-end walls; reinforce the connections between a roof and supporting wall; protect against windborne debris; or protect exterior doors and garages. In short, this legislation will help communities mitigate against future weather related hazards. Taking mitigation steps now can make a huge difference. In many cases, it may help to reduce loss of life and property damage, while saving money and reducing insurance rates in the long run. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this legislation through Congress.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Pastor Ken Whitten before the House of Representatives. Pastor Whitten serves as the senior pastor at Lutz, Florida's, Idlewild Baptist Church, which has served the Tampa Bay community for almost 80 years. While originally based out of an old garage building, today it serves a congregation of more than 12,000 members on a 143-acre campus. Under Pastor Whitten's leadership, the Idlewild family has placed a focus on both local and global missions, a biblical guidance ministry, instructional classes for those who seek to grow spiritually, and activities and ministries for all ages. Pastor Whitten is a pillar of our community and has guided tens of thousands of people as they develop and grow their personal relationship with the Lord. Mr. Speaker, I welcome Pastor Whitten to our Nation's capital.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, it is unacceptable that our Nation's tax collectors have targeted organizations based solely on their political beliefs. Our Nation's strength depends on its citizens' freedom to organize and participate in the political process, and no branch of government should be used to harass and unfairly judge the American people. The IRS' actions are not only troubling, but also further erode the American people's trust that public institutions will act impartially. It's unacceptable. This matter needs to be actively investigated, and those guilty of improper actions should be appropriately punished. We cannot allow differences of political opinion to erode our Nation's best traditions and the rule of law. Americans cannot, and will not, accept judgment based upon their political beliefs. We must prevent this discrimination from ever happening again.