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Dear Neighbor,
Wishing every mom a very Happy Mother's Day! There are few things more beautiful and enduring than a mother's love for her child. I am so fortunate to have an incredible mother, Evelyn Bilirakis. While Alzheimer’s has changed our relationship over the years, she continues to be a source of inspiration. The lessons of patience, tenacity and grace she has taught through example will always remain with me. My sons are also fortunate to have a wonderful mother. My wife, Eva, has done a tremendous job with our four sons. I hope all the moms in our community enjoy their special day!
Please continue reading for an overview of my work on your behalf last week.
Providing Commonsense Relief to Seniors and Middle Class Americans: As we work through the budget reconciliation process, I will be looking to provide greater tax relief to seniors.
I am also fighting to provide greater tax relief for Middle Class Americans through reauthorization of the 2017 tax cuts and the enactment of new common sense measures, such as the elimination of taxation on tips.
President Trump has also recently reached a historic Trade Deal with our ally, the United Kingdom that will help to restore fiscal sanity. As part of this deal, America will raise $6 billion in external revenue from 10% tariffs and $5 billion in new export opportunities for US ranchers, farmers and producers. It will also enhance both countries national security through the creation of an Aluminum and Steel Trading Zone and a secure pharmaceutical supply chain. This is a huge step in the right direction as we seek to restore fair economic policies that put Americans’ first.
Protecting Children and Victims of Crime: We’ve recently passed important legislation to criminalize the publication of non-consensual, sexually exploitative images—including AI-generated deepfakes—and require platforms to remove images within 48 hours of notice. The legislation offers much needed protection for children and other victims. Click here to learn more.
Empowering Parents: App stores are the gatekeepers to the digital world. Unfortunately, they have been operating with little accountability, allowing children to download apps and agree to complex contracts without their parents ever knowing. These agreements often give apps sweeping access to kids' personal data without meaningful safeguards. The App Store Accountability Act, which I’ve co-authored, is a commonsense solution that establishes parental oversight and protects minors. A national poll commissioned by Digital Childhood Alliance found that 88% of parents want app stores to require parental approval before minors can download a new app. We are working to give them that ability.
Enhancing Protections for Manatees: Those of us who are fortunate enough to call the Nature Coast home, understand how important manatees are to our community. These gentle marine mammals are a cornerstone of our region’s identity, ecology, and economy. Crystal River and the surrounding springs serve as crucial winter habitats for manatees, attracting thousands of tourists each year for eco-tourism activities like wildlife viewing and kayaking. Ensuring their safety helps preserve the area's unique natural heritage while also supporting local businesses that rely on sustainable tourism. Last week, I cosponsored the Manatee Protection Act to help protect this beautiful creature.
Strengthening our National Security: For years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has worked to spread propaganda and conduct sophisticated espionage around the world, particularly targeting the United States and seeking to infiltrate and exploit America’s classrooms and institutions of higher learning. One way the Chinese government attempted to do this was to establish Confucius Institutes (CIs) in the U.S. under the guise of promoting Chinese language and culture and advancing cultural exchanges. In reality, these CIs were extensions of the CCP’s influence network meant to conduct espionage in the U.S., impact academic institutions’ decisions, push propaganda, and steal intellectual property and trade secrets. Today, there are less than five active Confucius Institutes left in the United States; however, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that 43 out of 74 schools surveyed maintain a relationship with an entity that previously supported their CI program. Additionally, many institutions of higher learning are far from transparent in disclosing the assistance they receive from China or other foreign engagement, posing a significant risk to our national security and allowing our adversaries to influence the classrooms that shape the minds of America’s brightest. Between June 22, 2020, to April 6, 2023, the Department of Education accumulated data revealing that U.S. universities collected over $3 billion from CCP and PRC linked entities. And because of China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, any individual, organization, institution, or entity based in China is obligated to assist and comply with PRC intelligence work. H.R. 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, which passed the House last week with my support, restricts funding to American institutions of higher education (IHE) that maintain a relationship with a Chinese entity of concern or Confucius Institute, making them ineligible to receive any funds from the Department of Homeland Security. We cannot allow foreign adversaries to influence U.S. education and participate in shaping the minds of America's future leaders, nor can we allow them access to steal intellectual property.
Supporting Small Businesses: During last week's Small Business Committee hearing, I shared concerns about the challenges facing small businesses throughout our community. Click here to listen to my testimony.
Listening to You: I was honored to meet with nurses throughout Florida’s 12th Congressional district as part of my annual Nursing Roundtable. We discussed the challenges facing their profession and the policy improvements they would like to see championed in Washington. I look forward to supporting many of the proposals we discussed last week.
Getting Things Done: I’m proud to be ranked as one of the most effective members of Congress by independent groups, like the Center for Effective Lawmaking. Click here to learn more about how I once again earned this prestigious designation.
Recognizing our Community Heroes: Last week, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week - a chance to honor the incredible teachers who shape minds, inspire futures, and make a difference in countless lives. Teachers regularly go above and beyond to empower the next generation. It is important to thank the teachers who’ve made an impact in our lives.
We also celebrated the amazing nurses in our community who are on the frontlines, day in and day out. We appreciate their unwavering dedication, compassion, and care. Their strength, empathy, and hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are forever grateful for everything they do to keep our communities healthy and safe.
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 celebrated our local healthcare heroes at the Pasco County Nurses Gala during which the community recognized our Nurses of the Year!
My team was also humbled to pay tribute to local law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty at this year's Law Enforcement Memorial in Dade City.
Additionally, my team celebrated the success of at-risk students at the PACE Center for Girls annual breakfast in Hernando County.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this message after helping a constituent resolve a problem he was having obtaining a VA community care appointment.
After being jerked around for weeks while trying to get a community care chiropractic appointment, I called your office. Every person I spoke with in your office treated me with dignity and respect. And - within days, I had my appointment scheduled. Thank you for all you do for vets.
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! |
