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Dear Neighbor,
I remain committed to fighting for our Veterans, supporting Florida's families, protecting our children, and growing our economy. From touring local organizations to pushing for commonsense legislation, I’m focused on delivering results that reflect our shared values. Here are a few recent highlights from the past week.
Supporting Our Heroes: Last week, I visited on-base housing at MacDill Air Force Base currently undergoing mold remediation. Our service members and their families deserve safe, secure, and healthy homes—and it’s our duty to ensure that issues are addressed swiftly and effectively. While the Service Member Bill of Rights was an important step forward, more work remains. I will continue to fight until every service member has access to a safe, habitable place to call home.
It was also a privilege to attend Citrus County’s Veterans Stand Down event, where I thanked the many dedicated individuals and organizations working to end Veteran homelessness. Their commitment to those who’ve served our nation is truly commendable.
Mark Your Calendar! All Veterans and their families are invited to attend my 19th Annual Veterans Resource Fair, where you can connect with a wide range of local services and support programs. We hope you can join us!
Protecting Children Online: I couldn’t agree more with this recent opinion piece calling for more parental control over app downloads. That’s why I’m working to ensure parents have stronger tools to keep their kids safe in the digital age. Protecting children online is not a partisan issue—it’s a priority we must all share.
Connecting with Community Leaders: I was honored to help celebrate the grand opening of Metropolitan Ministries’ Miracle Place in Holiday. This incredible new facility gives families a chance to rebuild their lives, gain essential skills, and move forward with dignity and hope.
I also toured The Hope Shot in Pasco and was inspired by their expansion plans to serve more individuals in recovery. Their commitment to long-term support is making a real difference in the lives of those working hard to rebuild.
Additionally, I had a great time connecting with local entrepreneurs at the Business Appreciation Month BBQ at M&B Dairy in Citrus County. Hearing directly from small business owners reminds me why we fight to create a stronger economic environment for everyone.
Ending the Shutdown - From air travel to Main Street, the ongoing Democrat-led government shutdown is having real consequences. Small businesses are pausing hiring, families are facing uncertainty, and the economy is feeling the pressure. The House already passed a full government funding package over one month ago. It’s time for Senate Democrats to stop the political theater and vote yes on reopening the government so Congress can address the real issues that face Americans.
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 celebrate the grand opening of BayCare’s new Central Receiving Facility in West Pasco — a vital step forward in meeting the urgent need for behavioral health stabilization in our community.
My team was also honored to celebrate the Hernando Chamber of Commerce’s 100th anniversary at the time capsule ceremony in Brooksville — a proud moment recognizing a century of service, leadership, and community growth.
Additionally, my team attended the Homeless Prevention Leadership Coalition in Hernando to discuss collaborative efforts to strengthen the safety net for at-risk individuals in our community. I am grateful for the local leaders working to make a difference.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this message from a constituent who reached out to ask for help for a family that had unsuccessfully been trying to get a death certificate for their loved one who died abroad.
We want to extend our thanks to you, your office and Mr. Bilirakis for the diligent work that was put into helping this family obtain the death certificate. This has been a very long and trying experience for the family and they will be relieved to finally find the closure needed to move forward from this tragedy. Again, please extend our sincere appreciation.
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. Also, if you are planning a trip to Washington, DC please let us know 90 days in advance so we can help make the most of your visit. We are here to serve you! |
