Gus M. Bilirakis
Representative for Florida · Republican · United States
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. I rise today in strong support of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation that will save lives by ensuring continued access to stem cell, bone marrow, and cord blood transplants for patients across our Nation.”
“I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working together to advance this important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, Representative Smith of New Jersey has done an outstanding job over the years. He has done a great job leading this particular bill. He works on bills, Mr.”
“For far too long, medically retired servicemembers wounded in combat have been forced to forfeit a portion of the retirement pay they earned simply because they also receive VA disability compensation, and that is wrong. That is the so-called wounded veteran tax, and it is fundamentally unjust.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership and thank him for this great package that will support our veterans. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. First and foremost, this legislation delivers long-overdue justice by including key provisions of my Major Richard Star Act.”
“I appreciate it so very much, and I thank the chairman for his leadership. It enhances mental health services, expands care in rural communities, improves transition assistance for servicemembers entering civilian life, and modernizes VA facilities to better serve future generations. The SPEAKER pro tempore.”
“Most importantly, this bill honors the legacy of Major Richard Star, who fought tirelessly to correct this injustice before his passing. His determination has brought us to this moment, and today, we have the opportunity to continue that fight on behalf of thousands of deserving veterans.”
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“(2) Content.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall describe, at a minimum-- (A) the source of the information that was provided to the Commission regarding the fire, explosion, or other hazard; (B) the make and model of the lithium-ion battery and micromobility product that resulted in a fire, explosion, or other hazard, if known; (C) whether a lithium-ion battery involved in a fire, explosion, or other hazard complied with the standard required by this section, if known; and (D) if known, the manufacturer and country of manufacture of a lithium-ion battery that resulted in a fire, explosion, or other hazard. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.”
“(d) Treatment of Standard.--A standard promulgated under this section, including a revision of such standard adopted by the Commission, shall be treated as a consumer product safety rule promulgated under section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058). (e) Report to Congress.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report regarding fires, explosions, and other hazards relating to lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the report date.”
“(2) Treatment of revision.--The revised voluntary standard shall be considered to be a consumer product safety standard issued by the Commission under section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058), effective 180 days after the date on which the organization notifies the Commission (or such later date specified by the Commission in the Federal Register) unless, within 90 days after receiving that notice, the Commission notifies the organization that it has determined that the proposed revision, in whole or in part, does not improve the safety of the consumer product covered by the standard and that the Commission is retaining the existing consumer product safety standard.”
“(b) Consumer Product Safety Commission Determination of Scope.--In adopting the standards under subsection (a), the Commission shall limit the application of such standards to consumer products as defined in section 3(a)(5) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052(a)(5)). (c) Revision of Voluntary Standards.-- (1) Notice to commission.--If the provisions of ANSI/CAN/UL 2271-Standard for Batteries for Use in Light Electric Vehicle Applications, ANSI/CAN/UL 2849-Standard for Safety for Electrical Systems for eBikes, or ANSI/CAN/UL 2272-Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices, are revised following the enactment of this Act, the organization that revised the requirements of such standard shall notify the Commission after the final approval of the revision.”
“(a) Consumer Product Safety Standard Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (referred to in this section as the ``Commission'') shall promulgate, under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, the provisions of ANSI/CAN/UL 2271-Standard for Batteries for Use in Light Electric Vehicle Applications, ANSI/CAN/UL 2849-Standard for Safety for Electrical Systems for eBikes, and ANSI/CA/UL 2272-Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, as final consumer product safety standards.”
“Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 973) to establish consumer standards for lithium-ion batteries. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 973 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act''. SEC. 2. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARD FOR CERTAIN BATTERIES.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me tell you, the speaker on the floor of the House of Representatives in the great State of Florida used to begin his speeches by saying, ``I am fired up.'' I am fired up, Mr. Speaker, because we are going to pass a great bill that promotes America. With the previous bill honoring the 1980 USA Gold Medal hockey team, this is a great day in D.C. and all over the United States of America. In closing, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this particular bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bean of Florida). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 617. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.”
“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 617, the American Music Tourism Act of 2025, led by the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger), my good friend and a great member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Madam Speaker, this bipartisan legislation directs the National Travel and Tourism Office to promote domestic and international tourism to U.S. music festivals, concert venues, and other music-related attractions. Music tourism is a significant economic driver. It is estimated that, by 2032, it will become a $13.8 billion industry. By enhancing our promotion of music-related tourism, we can stimulate local economies, create jobs, and showcase America's rich cultural heritage. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R.”
“Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida? There was no objection.”
“Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida. General Leave”
“9801) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; (2) by striking ``In this title, the term `COVID-19 public health emergency'--'' and inserting the following: ``In this title: ``(1) COVID-19 public health emergency.--The term `COVID-19 public health emergency'--''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Music tourism.--The term `music tourism' means-- ``(A) the act of traveling to a State or locality to visit historic or modern day music-related attractions, including museums, studios, venues of all sizes, and other sites related to music; or ``(B) the act of traveling to a State or locality to attend a music festival, a concert, or other live musical performance or music-related special event.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore.”
“(c) Reporting Requirements.--Section 605(f) of the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Report on goals relating to domestic and international travel.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the American Music Tourism Act of 2025, and every 2 years thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report of activities, findings, achievements, and vulnerabilities relating to the goals described in subsections (a) through (d).''. (d) Definition.--Section 600 of title VI of division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (15 U.S.C.”
“9803) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: ``(d) Facilitation of International Business and Leisure Travel.--The Assistant Secretary, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, shall strive to increase and facilitate international business and leisure travel to the United States and ensure competitiveness by-- ``(1) facilitating large meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions in the United States; ``(2) emphasizing rural and other destinations in the United States that are rich in cultural heritage or ecological tourism, among other uniquely American destinations, as locations for hosting international [[Page H1636]] meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions; ``(3) facilitating and promoting international travel and tourism to sports and recreation events and activities in the United States; and ``(4) identifying locations and events in the United States that are important to music tourism and facilitating and promoting international travel and tourism to those locations and events.''.”
“9803(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) identify locations and events in the United States that are important to music tourism and facilitate and promote domestic travel and tourism to those locations and events.''. (b) Facilitation of International Business and Leisure Travel.--Section 605 of the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C.”
“Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 617) to amend the Visit America Act to promote music tourism, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 617 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``American Music Tourism Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM. (a) Domestic Travel and Tourism.--Section 605(b) of the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C.”