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Dear Neighbor,
Wishing all the dads in our community a very happy Father’s Day today. Being a father to my four sons is the greatest privilege of my life. I’m fortunate to have learned from the very best! Thank you, dad, for teaching me the values and importance of faith, family and service to others. I could never ask for a better father, mentor, and friend.
We had a really productive week in Washington that featured important legislation on the Floor aimed at protecting American consumers from government overreach and irresponsible spending. We also had legislative hearings that focused on improvement in public health outcomes through the support of critical research and enhanced emergency preparedness measures. To learn more about these initiatives and other efforts on your behalf, please continue reading.
Making Washington Work for You: One important way we can protect American taxpayers is to push back against government overreach. President Biden has abused his power by circumventing Congress to push his radical agenda through Executive Order. In his first year in office alone, President Biden finalized regulations that added more than $200 billion in new regulatory costs. Last week, we passed the REINS Act of 2023, which I co-sponsored. It will protect the American people from incurring new costs by requiring any “major rule” by an administration to require Congress’ approval to become law.
President Biden and extreme Democrats are also attempting to ban gas cooking appliances as part of their radical, climate activist agenda, which will burden American families with high electricity bills and costly appliances. I led the discussion on the House Floor and voted in favor of both the Save Our Gas Stoves Act and the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act last week. These measures will stop Biden's Department of Energy from dictating the type of cooktop appliance Americans use in their home and stop the Consumer Products Safety Commission from broadly banning gas stoves or imposing any standard that would create: a de facto ban.
I also voted last week on a bill to block the Biden Administration’s attempt to erode the 2nd Amendment. Specifically, Biden wants to turn disabled Veterans into criminals, serving up to 10 years in prison, by making stabilizing pistol braces illegal. While the Court has recently issued an injunction against the proposed Pistol Brace Ban, we want to be sure this egregious example of government overreach is never able to be implemented. Our nation’s heroes should not be subject to a decade in prison because they want to more safely operate their lawful firearms.
Last week, I made it clear that all Americans, especially those of us who live so close to Cuba, expect transparency and action regarding a Biden Administration official’s admission that China is operating a secret spy base 90 miles off the coast of Florida. China’s goal is to monitor American ships and electronic communications across the southeastern U.S. This is another example of increased Chinese aggression and this national security threat must be taken seriously.
In last week's newsletter, I shared information about the steps I have taken to push the Biden Administration to address the problems Americans are facing as they seek to renew or get new passports issued from the Department of State. The delay many of my constituents – and Americans across the country - are experiencing is simply unacceptable. Its costing them time, money and immeasurable stress. As I explained in this local news story, I’ll keep fighting for systemic change and to hold those at the State Department accountable for doing better.
I recently filed two bills. The first is a pro-consumer measure that will bring much needed transparency to the whole ticketing industry. There is nothing more disappointing for an avid fan than being lured into the prospect of an affordable ticket to see his or her favorite sports team or band only to learn later in the checkout process that the final price tag is significantly higher. Click here to learn more about how my new bill will address this problem.
My second bill would crack down on the use of contraband phones in prison. Americans deserve the confidence of knowing that once a criminal has been locked away, the perpetrator cannot continue to victimize others from behind bars. My proposed measure is supported by our local law enforcement leaders. "One of the most fundamental rules in securing a facility is controlling an inmate’s ability to plan an escape or contraband introduction with someone on the outside,” said Hernando County Sheriff and Florida Sheriffs Association President Al Nienhuis. “It is also important, when trying to dismantle a criminal enterprise, to limit the ability of those incarcerated leaders to run the organization from prison. Therefore, if we want to give our prison administrators the tools they need to prevent escapes, reduce contraband, and hold criminals accountable, we must send a very clear message that prisoner accessible cell phones will not be tolerated. It is simply a commonsense measure from Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who is known for his commonsense approach to these critically important public safety issues.” Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco also lent his support. “My primary focus is keeping our community safe. I fully support, and thank Congressman Bilirakis for his leadership in any efforts to reduce victimization in our community and to hold those who commit crime in our community accountable for their actions, which includes not being able to commit any further offenses while they are incarcerated," said Sheriff Nocco. Click here to read more about my bill.
We also had two Health Subcommittee hearings last week. In the first, I questioned Administration officials about our nation's preparedness for future emergencies. I want to be sure that we are responding to lessons learned during the pandemic to ensure the availability of critical resources for all Americans.
In the second legislative hearing, we reviewed several bills aimed at improving public health outcomes through the advancement of scientific research. Two bills I authored were considered. My National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act aims to unite the federal government in a mission to cure and prevent Parkinson’s, alleviate financial and health burdens on American families, and reduce government spending over time. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common – and fastest-growing – neurological disease globally with nearly 90,000 new cases diagnosed every year. My brother, Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis, battled Parkinson’s Disease for many years prior to his death just a few short weeks ago. I will continue this fight in his memory and on behalf of all my constituents who are still struggling with this debilitating disease. The lack of available treatment options leave patients, families and the American taxpayers in a terrible quandary. We must change our approach to get better results, which is exactly what my legislation will do. My second bill examined during the hearing is the Gabriella Miller Kids First Act 2.0 Act. It would reauthorize and increase funding for the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Kids First initiative, which has supported lifesaving research of treatments for childhood cancer. Click here to listen to me discuss both of these important measures!
Additionally, as noted in this local article, I am continuing my efforts to make sure Florida’s farmers get their fair share of federal funding designed to support local agricultural needs.
Learning from You Here at Home: Last week, I had the pleasure of congratulating the students I’ve nominated to a Military Service Academy who have received an appointment:
Alex Cortier (USMMA)
Isaac Green (USMA)
Matthew Griffith (USMA)
Julianna Michael (USMMA)
Zackery Poekert (USNA)
Theodore Spiegel (USMA)
Emily Vizcarra (USMA)
Jack Webster (USMA)
Congratulations and thank you for your willingness to serve our nation. I wish you continued success!
Raising Awareness: Last week, we recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, an estimated one in ten seniors will experience elder abuse during their lifetime. If you suspect a senior in your life might be being victimized, call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). Press 2 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
Supporting Small Business
Small Business is the backbone of our economy. Each week I highlight newly opened or expanded businesses in our community that my team or I have visited. Congratulations to these hard-working entrepreneurs and best wishes for their continued success as they realize their American Dream!
Traci and Kyle McKay own and operate Turtle Girl, a gopher tortoise surveying, permitting and relocation business in Citrus County. My team was proud to attend their recent ribbon cutting.
My team also celebrated the grand opening of the locally owned and operated new Culver's in Hernando County.
Additionally, during my recent tele-townhall, several senior officials from the Small Business Administration (SBA) shared information regarding support services that are available to help local small business owners. As a follow-up to that discussion, here are the websites, and email addresses that were referenced on the call which may be helpful to local small business owners or those who aspire to become one.
SBA South Florida District
Website: www.sba.gov/southflorida
Email: [email protected]
Althea Harris, Deputy District Director: [email protected]
SBA Resource Partners – to find an organization near you www.sba.gov/local-assistance
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) https://floridasbdc.org/ - locations throughout Florida
SCORE Offices www.score.org – locations through out Florida
Jacksonville Women’s Business Center https://jaxchamberfoundation.org/jacksonville-womens-business-center/
Helen Gordon Browne Women’s Center (Tampa) https://thecentre.org/businesscentre/
weVenture Women’s Business Center at Florida Tech https://weventure.fit.edu/
Florida Women’s Business Center (Delray Beach) https://www.flwbc.org/
Veteran Business Outreach Center (Panama City) https://vboc.org/
Apex Accelerators (assistance with govt contracting) -fptac.org
Community Connection
I am fortunate to have a team of dedicated staff who regularly attend events throughout our community, especially when I am required to be in Washington, DC. Through their collective efforts, I am better able to stay connected to the issues that matter most to my constituents. As part of my commitment to developing a better understanding of the issues facing constituents in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties members of my team attended several events last week. Here are a few highlights.
My team was proud to participate in Florida Fire Watch’s Veterans’ Suicide Prevention initiative at Chester McKay VFW in New Port Richey. We all can play an important role in helping reduce suicide in the Veteran community and this wonderful program is helping engage residents in this important work.
My team was also honored to present WWII Veteran, Bill King, with the service medals he had earned but had never received.
Constituent Corner
My office recently received this email after my team helped her with renewal as a Medicare Provider.
Thank you so much for your assistance in helping me to be reinstated to Medicare as a Provider! Being actively enrolled in Medicare is an essential requirement for my new job. A friend mentioned that she receives your weekly newsletter. She told me about the Constituent's Corner and how you have helped others when they had challenges with government agencies. I emailed your office to inquire if you could help me. I received an email response within hours. I was pleasantly surprised at the quick email response! The email contained a short form to complete and explained what information to include to start a congressional inquiry. It was such an easy process! I called the office to ask a few questions. Justin answered the phone and was extremely supportive and helpful. Within hours, I received an email response with a reference number and a case manager. This was late Friday afternoon prior to Memorial Day weekend. To my surprise, by Tuesday morning, which was the next business day, I received a call from the Medicare Office in Florida stating they were gong to process my reinstatement application to Medicare. By the following day, my application was processed and I received my official letter stating that I was again actively enrolled in Medicare! Without your help, I would not have been able to have my Medicare enrollment reinstated and thus not be able to perform my essential job requirements. I am so grateful for your assistance! I am telling everyone I know about this experience! It has restored hope that there are people in elected government positions that are willing to help the people in their district. Again, thank you so much for you help!
This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you!
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