BILIRAKIS, GUS M. (a Representative from Florida)

Amendments

Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (H.R. 4435), H4754 [21MY]

Energy and water development: making appropriations (H.R. 4923), H5993, H6037 [9JY]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Armed Forces: modify per-fiscal year calculation of days of certain active duty or service used to reduce minimum age at which Reserve component members may retire for non-regular service (see H.R. 690), H7128 [30JY]

Children and youth: extend, enhance, and revise certain laws on collection, use, and disclosure of personal information of children and establish additional protections (see H.R. 3481), H5249 [10JN]

Corporal Christian A. Guzman Rivera Post Office Building, Princeton, FL: designate (see H.R. 5030), H5876 [8JY]

Dept. of Education: establish grant program to assist institutions of higher education in establishing, maintaining, and improving veteran student centers (see H.R. 5589), H7884 [18SE]

Dept. of HHS: ensure women who access federally funded family planning services are given pregnancy option counseling including professional adoption counseling (see H.R. 3539), H2991 [7AP]

——— reauthorize certain provisions relating to autism and establish a National Autism Spectrum Disorder Initiative (see H.R. 4631), H4786 [21MY]

——— reauthorize certain trauma care programs (see H.R. 4080), H3293 [29AP]

——— revise and extend program for viral hepatitis surveillance, education, and testing in order to prevent deaths from chronic liver disease and liver cancer (see H.R. 3723), H4017 [8MY]

Dept. of Justice: exempt certain products from Controlled Substances Act requirements on scheduled listed chemicals if it is not practical to use such products in illicit manufacture of methamphetamine (see H.R. 4502), H5365 [12JN]

Dept. of Labor: phase out issuance of special wage certificates to entities providing employment to disabled individuals at rates of pay below the Federal minimum wage (see H.R. 831), H5249 [10JN]

Dept. of State: provide a report on U.S. efforts to survey and secure the return, protection, and restoration of stolen or otherwise unreturned Christian properties in Turkey and Turkish occupied territories (see H.R. 4347), H3941 [7MY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: enter into contracts for provision of medical care at non-departmental facilities for certain patients, assess health care delivery system, and limit employee awards and bonuses (see H.R. 4810), H5185 [9JN]

——— establish a national center for diagnosis, treatment, and research of health conditions of descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service (see H.R. 5484), H8366 [3DE]

——— provide for removal of Senior Executive Service employees based on performance (see H.R. 4031), H2697 [26MR]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: evaluate mental health care and suicide prevention programs, review discharge or separation of certain individuals, and require a loan repayment pilot program for psychiatrists (see H.R. 5059), H7893 [18SE]

Economy: promote economic growth and job creation and strengthen strategic partnerships with U.S. allies (see H.R. 4139), H2147 [4MR]

Education: call on schools and State and local educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed (see H. Res. 456), H8669 [4DE]

English language: reaffirm as official language of U.S., establish uniform English language rule for naturalization, and avoid misconstructions of English language texts of U.S. laws (see H.R. 997), H6107 [10JY]

EPA: eliminate certain requirements under the renewable fuel program and prohibit approval of gasoline that contains greater than a certain percentage of ethanol (see H.R. 1462), H2199 [5MR]

——— nullify certain rules relative to carbon pollution (greenhouse gas) emissions for existing, new, or reconstructed fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units (see H.R. 4813), H5185 [9JN]

——— promote new manufacturing by providing for greater transparency and timeliness in issuing air quality standards necessary to obtain preconstruction permits (see H.R. 4795), H5064 [30MY]

——— provide direction relative to establishment of emissions standards of greenhouse gas from fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units (see H.R. 3826), H134 [9JA]

European Union: support scope and objectives of Greece’s Council Presidency (see H. Res. 469), H1511 [29JA]

FAA Modernization and Reform Act: amend certain provisions (see H.R. 2591), H7979 [13NO]

Father Richard Marquess-Barry Post Office Building, Miami, FL: designate (see H.R. 4030), H1718 [10FE]

FDA: approve certain drugs and biological products for use in a limited population of patients to address increases in bacterial and fungal resistance to drugs and biological products (see H.R. 3742), H4017 [8MY]

——— require bottled water manufacturers and distributors to disclose bottled water quality information (see H.R. 4978), H6137 [11JY]

FEMA: ensure fairness in premium rates for coverage for business properties and second homes under the National Flood Insurance Program (see H.R. 4313), H2695 [26MR]

Financial institutions: clarify application of certain leverage and risk-based capital requirements (see H.R. 4510), H6297 [15JY]

——— specify when bank holding companies may be subject to certain enhanced supervision (see H.R. 4060), H3409 [1MY]

Firearms: establish national standard to allow State concealed handgun carrying licenses to be valid in other States (see H.R. 2959), H3242 [28AP]

——— update certain procedures applicable to commerce in firearms and remove certain Federal restrictions on interstate firearms transactions (see H.R. 3335), H3941 [7MY]

Foreign aid: ensure the provision of foreign assistance does not contribute to human trafficking and combat human trafficking by requiring greater transparency in recruitment of foreign workers (see H.R. 3344), H1246 [17JA]

——— provide assistance for developing countries to promote quality and universal basic education (see H.R. 2780), H6746 [23JY]

——— require the President to establish guidelines for, and increase transparency of, foreign assistance programs (see H.R. 2638), H73 [8JA]

Freedom Riders: award a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their unique contribution to civil rights, which inspired a revolutionary movement for equality in interstate travel (see H.R. 4041), H6217 [14JY]

Galvez y Madrid, Bernardo de: confer honorary citizenship (see H.J. Res. 105), H134 [9JA]

Government: restore the 10-year statute of limitations applicable to collection of debt by administrative offset (see H.R. 4491), H4017 [8MY]

Hamas (terrorist organization): condemn use of civilians as human shields, recognize breaches of international law, support Israel’s right of self-defense, and support Palestinians who reject terrorism (see H. Con. Res. 107), H6400 [17JY]

Health: promote development of meaningful treatments for patients (see H.R. 3116), H2696 [26MR]

Immigration: clarify classes of individuals born in the U.S. who are nationals and citizens of the U.S. at birth (see H.R. 140), H8033 [17NO]

——— expedite removal of unaccompanied alien children, implement tough ‘‘credible fear’’ standards, reduce asylum fraud, protect communities from gangs, and provide Border Patrol access to Federal lands (see H.R. 5137), H6816 [24JY]

——— prevent expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and prohibit granting amnesty and work permits to illegal aliens (see H.R. 5160), H6860 [25JY]

——— reform policies relative to family-sponsored immigrants and reduce the number of such immigrants (see H.R. 477), H7979 [13NO]

Insurance: clarify State authority to regulate private flood insurance coverage in order to provide more flexibility and options (see H.R. 4558), H4476 [19MY]

Iraq: call for urgent international intervention on behalf of Iraqi civilians facing dire humanitarian crisis and severe persecution in Nineveh Plain region (see H. Con. Res. 110), H7041 [29JY]

——— protect religious minorities from persecution by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) (terrorist organization) (see H. Res. 683), H7242 [1AU]

IRS: implement security measures in the electronic tax return filing process to prevent tax refund fraud from being perpetrated with electronic identity theft (see H.R. 5670), H7887 [18SE]

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) (terrorist organization): condemn killing of James W. Foley and Steven J. Sotloff and other terrorist acts and express condolences to their families (see H. Res. 720), H7454 [11SE] (see H. Res. 734), H7887 [18SE]

Israel: authorize further assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system (see H.R. 5235), H7242 [1AU]

——— condemn murders of teenagers by members of Hamas (terrorist organization) and Mohammed Abu Khdeir by extremists and call for halt to attacks and recognition for Israel’s right to exist (see H. Res. 665), H6657 [22JY]

——— reaffirm support for right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas (terrorist organization) and condemn and call for an end to such attacks (see H. Res. 657), H6137 [11JY]

Labor unions: protect the free choice of individual employees relative to participation in labor organizations (see H.R. 3485), H8033 [17NO]

Lake Berryessa: transfer recreational management authority from Bureau of Reclamation to BLM (see H.R. 4166), H4910 [28MY]

Levinson, Robert: urge intensified cooperation by Iran on the case of the disappearance of former FBI agent while on business trip in Iran (see H. Res. 435), H5399 [17JN]

Macedonia: work within U.N. framework process with Greece to find a mutually-acceptable composite name, with a geographical qualifier and for all international uses for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (see H. Res. 477), H1771 [11FE]

Medicare: improve Medicare Advantage special needs plans (see H.R. 4484), H3196 [10AP]

——— include information on the coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity in the ‘‘Medicare and You Handbook’’ and coordinate programs to prevent and treat obesity (see H.R. 2415), H4017 [8MY]

——— repeal rebasing of payments for home health services and replace such rebasing with a home health value-based purchasing program (see H.R. 5110), H7893 [18SE]

——— repeal the sustainable growth rate and improve payments for physicians and other professionals (see H.R. 4015), H2260 [10MR]

——— require State licensure and performance guarantees for entities submitting bids under the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive acquisition program (see H.R. 4920), H5827 [3JY]

Mental health: make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals diagnosed with mental illness and families in mental health crisis (see H.R. 3717), H4685 [20MY]

Mexico: call for release of Andrew P. Tahmooressi (see H. Res. 620), H5877 [8JY]

Middle East: prevent Hezbollah and associated entities from gaining access to international financial and other institutions (see H.R. 4411), H3365 [30AP]

Monuments and memorials: require congressional approval, provide restrictions on the use of national monuments, and establish requirements for declaration of marine national monuments (see H.R. 4988), H6217 [14JY]

National Academy of Inventors, Inc.: grant Federal charter (see H.R. 5650), H7940 [12NO]

National Adoption Day: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 762), H8169 [20NO]

National Adoption Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 762), H8169 [20NO]

National Commission on the Structure of the Army: establish (see H.R. 3930), H2991 [7AP]

Nazi Party—World War II: deny Social Security and other benefits to individuals whose citizenship has been revoked or renounced on the basis of their participation in Nazi persecution (see H.R. 5706), H8072 [18NO]

Nicklaus, Jack: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 2203), H1659 [5FE]

Office of the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act: establish (see H.R. 4158), H7619 [16SE]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: exempt certain educational institutions from employer health insurance mandate (see H.R. 4775), H5073 [5JN]

——— notify individuals if personal and private information of those enrolling in exchanges is known to have been acquired or accessed as a result of a breach of security (see H.R. 3811), H19 [7JA]

Peres, Shimon: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 2939), H2434 [13MR]

Postal Service: ensure continuation of 6-day mail delivery service (see H. Res. 30), H5824 [30JN]

Power resources: require approval of construction, operation, or maintenance of oil or natural gas pipelines or electric transmission facilities at U.S. borders for import or export (see H.R. 3301), H4061 [9MY]

Religion: condemn anti-Semitism and comparison of Israel to Nazis perpetrating the Holocaust and reject attempts to justify anti-Jewish hatred as an acceptable disapproval of political events in the Middle East (see H. Res. 707), H7242 [1AU]

Science: assist scientists in commercializing their ideas by awarding grants to innovative technology transfer programs at universities, research institutes, and national laboratories (see H.R. 2981), H184 [13JA]

Sergeant First Class Daniel M. Ferguson Post Office, Mulberry, FL: designate (see H.R. 5089), H6297 [15JY]

Social Security: provide States with the option of providing services to children with medically complex conditions under Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program through a care coordination program (see H.R. 4930), H5824 [30JN]

Sports: protect and enhance opportunities for recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting (see H.R. 3590), H1432 [27JA]

Sudan: condemn charge of apostasy and death sentence of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag and encourage U.S. efforts to support religious freedom (see H. Res. 601), H5073 [5JN]

Syria: establish a Syrian war crimes tribunal (see H. Con. Res. 51), H7297 [8SE]

Taiwan Relations Act: affirm importance (see H. Res. 494), H2303 [11MR]

Taxation: allow credit for amounts paid by a spouse of an Armed Forces member for a new State license or certification required due to permanent change in duty station of such member to another State (see H.R. 1620), H7128 [30JY]

——— allow individuals a deduction for amounts contributed to disaster savings accounts to help defray costs of preparing their homes to withstand a disaster and repair or replace damaged property (see H.R. 3989), H4061 [9MY]

——— extend exclusion from gross income of discharges of qualified principal residence indebtedness (see H.R. 2994), H184 [13JA]

——— make permanent the moratorium on Internet access taxation and multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce (see H.R. 3086), H1687 [6FE]

——— modify substantiation rules for donation of vehicles of a certain value (see H.R. 4960), H6400 [17JY]

——— terminate Internal Revenue Code (see H.R. 352), H3058 [8AP]

Turkey: condemn restrictions on freedom of the press, expression, and the Internet, including social media and call for an end to such restrictions (see H. Res. 532), H3449 [6MY]

U.N.: promote transparency, accountability, and reform (see H.R. 3155), H2258 [6MR]

Venezuela: impose sanctions on foreign persons responsible for, or complicit in ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the commission of serious human rights abuses against nationals (see H.R. 4229), H2432 [13MR]

——— impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for carrying out or ordering human rights abuses against the citizens of Venezuela (see H.R. 4587), H4017 [8MY]

——— support freedom of expression and assembly, condemn violence and intimidation of country’s political opposition, and call for international support for democratic reform (see H. Res. 488), H2002 [26FE]

Water: prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (see H.R. 5078), H7129 [30JY]

World War I: mint coins in commemoration of centennial (see H.R. 2366), H6217 [14JY]

World War II: award Congressional Gold Medal to Monuments Men in recognition of their role in preservation, protection, and restitution of monuments, works of art, and articles of cultural importance (see H.R. 3658), H3058 [8AP]

——— ensure that U.S. courts provide a forum for claims brought against any railroad arising from the deportation of individuals to Nazi concentration camps (see H.R. 1505), H6137 [11JY]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: enter into a contract with a non-government entity to conduct a survey of individuals on the use of departmental educational assistance (see H.R. 4151), H2198 [5MR]

FDA: extend market exclusivity periods for drugs approved to prevent, diagnose, or treat a rare disease or condition (see H.R. 5750), H8169 [20NO]

FEMA: require periodic GAO reviews of the flood insurance rates and flood insurance rate maps under the National Flood Insurance Program (see H.R. 4352), H2801 [1AP]

Travel Promotion Act: extend (see H.R. 4450), H3195 [10AP]

Veterans Expedited Recovery Commission: establish to examine mental health treatment models and potential benefits of incorporating certain alternative treatments (see H.R. 4977), H5816 [26JN]

Constitutional authority statements

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: enter into a contract with a non-government entity to conduct a survey of individuals on the use of departmental educational assistance (H.R. 4151), H2199 [5MR]

FDA: extend market exclusivity periods for drugs approved to prevent, diagnose, or treat a rare disease or condition (H.R. 5750), H8170 [20NO]

FEMA: require periodic GAO reviews of the flood insurance rates and flood insurance rate maps under the National Flood Insurance Program (H.R. 4352), H2802 [1AP]

Travel Promotion Act: extend (H.R. 4450), H3197 [10AP]

Veterans Expedited Recovery Commission: establish to examine mental health treatment models and potential benefits of incorporating certain alternative treatments (H.R. 4977), H5818 [26JN]

Pledge of Allegiance 

House of Representatives, H8135 [20NO]

Remarks

Armed Forces: appropriate funds necessary to ensure that Reserve component members who perform inactive-duty training continue to receive pay during a Government shutdown (H.R. 3230), conference report, H7083 [30JY]

Children and youth: improve the health of children and help better understand and enhance awareness about unexpected sudden death in early life (H.R. 669), H8344 [3DE]

Committee on Energy and Commerce (House): tribute to 21st Century Cures intiative, H7540 [16SE]

Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, H5672• [24JN], H7851 [18SE]

Corps of Engineers: Office of the Assistant Sec. of the Army for Civil Works funding, H5993 [9JY]

Cyprus: anniversary of Turkish occupation, H6302 [16JY]

——— support reunification agreement, H6302 [16JY]

Daughters of Penelope Foundation, Inc.: anniversary, E1580• [14NO]

Dept. of Defense: allow disabled veterans to travel on military aircraft on a space-available basis, E820• [22MY]

——— authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (H.R. 4435), E820• [22MY]

Dept. of HHS: reauthorize certain provisions relating to autism and establish a National Autism Spectrum Disorder Initiative (H.R. 4631), H5692 [24JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: enter into contracts for provision of medical care at non-departmental facilities for certain patients, assess health care delivery system, and limit employee awards and bonuses (H.R. 4810), H5198 [10JN]

——— improve access of veterans to medical services by improving scheduling, staff training and hiring, access to care from non-departmental providers, and administrative matters, H7083 [30JY]

Energy and water development: making appropriations (H.R. 4923), H5993 [9JY]

FDA: extend market exclusivity periods for drugs approved to prevent, diagnose, or treat a rare disease or condition (H.R. 5750), H8938 [10DE]

——— incentivize the development of treatments and vaccines for ebola by adding the disease to priority review voucher program (S. 2917), H8344 [3DE]

FEMA: codify authority to use Urban Areas Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program funding for enhancing medical preparedness, medical surge capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities (H.R. 1791), H1519 [3FE]

——— delay increases in flood insurance premium rates under the National Flood Insurance Program until completion of affordability study, provide certain reimbursements, and accurately determine flood risk (H.R. 3370), H2136 [4MR]

Greece: independence anniversary, H2616 [25MR]

Honduras: call for release of Aqua Quest International (organization) employees being detained without due process, H5506 [19JN]

Hurricanes: implement emergency preparedness plans, H4926 [29MY]

Israel: tribute to prayer service held between Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Jerusalem, H4816 [22MY]

Medicare: Medicare Advantage program funding, H2102 [4MR]

——— reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians, H2713 [27MR]

——— repeal the sustainable growth rate and improve payments for physicians and other professionals, H2713 [27MR]

——— repeal the sustainable growth rate and improve payments for physicians and other professionals (H.R. 4015), H2458 [14MR]

Medicare/Medicaid: extend certain payments, programs, and services (H.R. 4302), H2713 [27MR]

National Autism Awareness Month: observance, H2808 [2AP]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: authorize health insurance issuers to continue to offer for sale current individual health insurance coverage in satisfaction of individual health insurance mandate (H.R. 3522), H7416 [10SE]

——— delay implementation of the penalty for failure to comply with the individual health insurance mandate, H2458 [14MR]

——— notify individuals if personal and private information of those enrolling in exchanges is known to have been acquired or accessed as a result of a breach of security (H.R. 3811), H142 [10JA]

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (H. Res. 631), H5735 [25JN]

Power resources: remove Government obstacles to domestic energy production, ensure transport of energy, lower energy costs, and enable businesses to access energy to create and sustain jobs (H.R. 2), H7851 [18SE]

——— require approval of construction, operation, ormaintenance of oil or natural gas pipelines or electric transmission facilities at U.S. borders for import or export (H.R. 3301), H5672• [24JN]

St. Leo University: anniversary, E201• [11FE]

St. Petersburg, FL: tribute to Pinellas County Job Corps Center, E1312• [1AU]

Supreme Court: hearing of arguments in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp., v. Sebelius relative to requirements for health insurance coverage of contraceptives by for-profit corporations, H2619 [25MR]

Tampa, FL: anniversary of Military Officers Association of America Operation Helping Hand, E726• [9MY]

Tarpon Springs, FL: tribute to Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble, H8136 [20NO]

Terrorism: anniversary of terrorist attacks, E1394• [11SE]

Travel Promotion Act: extend (H.R. 4450), H4484 [20MY], H6628 [22JY]

Veterans: require college courses that are approved for purposes of Dept. of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs to charge veterans tuition and fees at the in-State tuition rate (H.R. 357), H1524 [3FE]

VFW: amend Federal charter to reflect service of women in the Armed Forces (H.R. 5441), H8013• [17NO]

World Autism Awareness Day: observance, H2808 [2AP]