Dear Neighbor,

Last week, I kicked off the October District Work Period by attending events in the community and meeting with as many constituents as possible.  As I did during my August Listening Tour, I intend to take the feedback I gather during the next month back to Washington to help guide my legislative efforts on your behalf.  Additionally, as I speak with stakeholders, I will look forward to the chance to share more details about Republicans' plans for getting our country back on the right track, as articulated in our Commitment to America!   Please continue reading for a brief overview of my efforts on your behalf.  

Honoring a Hero

Last week, I attended the funeral of Pinellas Dep. Michael Hartwick who served our community for 19 years. His death is a tragic reminder of the danger our law enforcement community faces each day as they endeavor to keep us safe.  May his memory be eternal!

Helping those in Need

Last week, I visited some of the areas that were hardest hit by Hurricane Ian.  The stories and images were heartbreaking. For example, 29 members of the Charlotte Sheriff's Office are currently living out of tents after working their shifts because their personal homes have been destroyed.   This visit underscored the fact that we must do all we can to ensure our neighbors have the resources they need to recover from this catastrophic event.  Click here to learn more about my colleagues and my efforts to urge expedited passage of a clean emergency supplemental bill to increase support for the victims of Hurricane Ian. It is important that this funding not be politicized or bogged down with any non-emergency spending proposals.  

I am also glad to see FEMA working closely with our Governor and Cabinet to remove red tape and get these Floridians the help they need as quickly as possible. Click here to learn more.  However, my colleagues and I believe Floridians in all 67 counties should be eligible for individual assistance.  I have constituents in Pasco County (which was excluded from the disaster declaration) who have significant structural damage to their homes and are ineligible for FEMA assistance because Pasco was not included in the Presidential Disaster Declaration.  I will keep pushing for this issue to be remedied. 

Creating a Government that is Accountable

As part of our Commitment to America, my colleagues and I are determined to create a government that is accountable!  We are working to conduct rigorous oversight to rein in government abuse of power, root out corruption, and provide transparency to the American people. We are demanding that the White House answer for its mismanagement and overspending, and we will save and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.

Below, I've highlighted a few of my efforts to strengthen accountability and ensure the American people get answers!

Rampant inflation is still a reality impacting Florida families.  It should not be downplayed or minimized.  Instead, this Administration needs to be held accountable for tackling this problem by reining in reckless government spending!

Did you know that President Biden has now issued more Executive Orders than any President since Ford, leaving Americans with a $1.5 trillion tab as they are already dealing with crushing inflation?  My colleagues and I are determined to hold him accountable and stop this Executive Overreach.  

We’re also demanding answers for why, according to the IG, President Biden’s stimulus package included $783.5 million in waste and abuse including: 

As families across the country are paying the HIGHEST electricity prices since 1981, we know that President Biden’s radical energy policies area big contributor to the problem. Recent reports show nearly 1 in 6 Americans are now behind on their utility bills and are in danger of losing their utility services.  We have to end the war on domestic energy production and lower costs!  

Additionally, last month the national average out-of-stock rate for baby formula remained at an extremely high 61%.  Yet, the Biden Administration STILL refuses to deal with the root cause of the lasting formula shortage.  Instead of just throwing more money at the problem, which was done earlier this year and has proven ineffective, Congress needs to hold this Administration accountable for its failure to solve the problem. The Babies Need More Formula Now Act, which I support, will do just that.   

It is not just the Administration and Congressional Democrats that need more accountability, “social media challenges” like the one mentioned in this article, pose a serious threat to public safety, particularly for children.  Instead of its current focus on censoring conservative voices, I’d like to see Big Tech work harder to protect children, which is why I’ve been helping to lead the Big Tech Task Force.  The platform our group has adopted would require more accountability for the Big Tech industry.   Also, I'm working with my House Energy and Commerce Republican colleagues to hold Big Tech accountable for doing more to prevent platforms from being used to facilitate crime, such as the sale of fentanyl.  

Strengthening our Economy

Last Friday was  National Manufacturing Day! Boosting domestic manufacturing is key to creating a strong economy, as it generates more economic activity than other sector of the economy. For every dollar of domestic manufacturing value-added, another $3.60 of economic activity is generated elsewhere across the economy.  We must continue to increase quality training opportunities, including hands-on apprenticeship programs to ensure our youth gain the skills needed to meet the demand of this critical field. 

Facilitating Innovation and Protecting Seniors

It is exciting to see these ground-breaking Alzheimer’s clinical trials happening in Tampa Bay.  Biomedical research holds the promise for the development of better treatments and a potential cure, which is why I support federal investment in this critical work! 

I was also honored to receive the Medicare Advantage Champion Award for my work to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to high quality and cost-effective healthcare coverage.   In my district, more than 59% of seniors opt to participate in the Medicare Advantage Program.  I will continue to fight to protect this valuable program!

Celebrating Milestones

Happy 100th birthday to my constituent and local Veteran, Frank Charles!  You can learn more about his impressive life by reading this article.  Thank you for your service to our country! 

Raising Awareness

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.   According to the CDC, nearly 20 Americans per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. We have to end the stigma and ensure victims know help is available.  If you or someone you know needs help, the national hotline is 1-800-799-7233. 

Hiring a Veteran to Join My Team

• Have Been Honorably discharged;
• Have Been Released from active duty within the last six years;
• Have Earned at a Pay grade at or below E-5/O-3/W-2;
  
  Interested candidates should use this link to apply.

Supporting Small Businesses

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! 

Congratulations to the Capo Family, owners of the new Eldorado Furniture Store in Wesley Chapel!

Also, last week I was honored to receive the Advocate for American Business Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for my work to support small businesses throughout the country.   Click here to learn more.  

Constituent Corner

My office recently received the following message from a constituent.

Thank you and your office so much for helping me to acquire the refund from my parent's tax return.  I did not know where to turn and finally, I was able to get some assistance through the organization that you contacted regarding my problem. I am thankful we have government offices that can be counted on to help their constituents.  With all of the bad press our government gets these days, it is refreshing and reassuring to experience government at its best. 

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!  

Sincerely,

Gus Bilirakis
Member of Congress