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Associated PressSeptember 27, 2017

Relatives helped Maribel Valentin Espino find shelter when Hurricane Maria roared through her community in northern Puerto Rico. Neighbors formed volunteer brigades to cut fallen trees and clear twisty mountain roads after the storm had passed. Now, friends and a local cattle ranch provide the water they need to survive in the tropical heat. Valentin […]

Phil AmmannAugust 11, 2017

Daniel Webster is making significant headway in the effort to repay debts owed to Florida veterans. In a statement Thursday, the Clermont Republican congressman announced that since January, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded more than $1 million to Florida veterans in compensation, pension or retroactive payments. Webster represents Florida’s 11th Congressional District, […]

Associated PressAugust 3, 2017

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says lawmakers have authorized seven new medical facilities for veterans in Florida. Nelson said in a news release Wednesday that the new Veterans Affairs facilities will be located in Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Ocala, Tampa and Lakeland, with two in Gainesville. A total of 28 around the country were approved. Some are […]

Staff ReportsJune 26, 2017

President Donald Trump signed a bill into law aimed at reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs by allowing the secretary to dismiss bad employees. The bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio, gives the VA secretary the authority to fire and demote employees. It also adds protections for whistleblowers, by prohibiting the secretary from using […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 14, 2017

A bill to reform the Department of Veterans of Affairs is heading to President Donald Trump, after the U.S. House of Representatives approved it this week. The House voted 368-55 on Tuesday to approve the the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio, gives the […]

Staff ReportsJune 9, 2017

A bipartisan bill to reform the Department of Veterans of Affairs by allowing the secretary to dismiss bad employees is headed to the U.S. House, after clearing the Senate on a voice vote this week. Sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act gives the VA secretary […]

Scott PowersJanuary 24, 2017

If President Donald Trump wants to spend big on America’s infrastructure, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and other Democratic leaders are offering their plan: $1 trillion, with money included possibly for Florida rail, seaports, highways and Everglades restoration. Nelson and the Democrats unveiled their “A Blueprint to Rebuild America’s Infrastructure” Tuesday afternoon, proposing $1 trillion in […]

Joe HendersonDecember 12, 2016

I was about to muse aloud why someone hasn’t been fired yet from the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Health Care System when this statement came in from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents the district where the facility is located. “Unsurprisingly, not a single VA employee has been fired following this incident, despite a clear […]

Associated PressNovember 21, 2016

Donald Trump held court from his perch high above Manhattan on Monday, receiving a line of former rivals, longtime allies and TV executives while overseeing a presidential transition that at times resembles a reality show like the one he once hosted. Trump met with nearly a dozen prospective hires, all of whom were paraded in […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 6, 2016

Congressman Vern Buchanan will head back to Washington D.C. next week armed with a laundry list of things he is looking to get done. As Congress returns from its summer break, the Sarasota Republican outlined several issues he wants to address during the upcoming four-week session: national security, emergency funding for Zika, and mental health reform. “Congress returns […]

Tag: Veterans Affairs

‘Nothing, nothing.’ Aid lags in hurricane-torn Puerto Rico

Daniel Webster helps secure $1M in back pay for CD 11 veterans

Legislation calls for 7 new VA medical clinics in Florida

Donald Trump signs VA reform bill backed by Marco Rubio

VA reform bill backed by Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson headed to Donald Trump

Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson backed VA reform bill clears the Senate

Bill Nelson, Democrats, unveil their $1 trillion infrastructure plan

After dead veteran scandal, someone needs to say ‘you’re fired’ at Bay Pines VA

Donald Trump auditions Cabinet prospects high above Manhattan

Vern Buchanan discusses laundry list of priorities for upcoming session of Congress