Defense

Washington, DC:  U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) proudly joined Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) and other colleagues in introducing legislation to declare the crisis at the southern border an invasion.  This legislation is designed to help bolster the legal arguments of states in federal court who are seeking recourse against the federal government for the Biden Administration’s utter failure to protect Americans by enforcing the rule of law.

https://floridianpress.com/2024/02/bilirakis-i-support-impeachment-of-dhs-secretary-mayorkas-over-illegal-immigrant-crisis/ 

Washington, DC:  Earlier this week, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis spoke on the House Floor about the crisis that is raging along the southern border.  Bilirakis outlined the steps he has taken to compel the Biden Administration to secure the border – including enforcement of existing statutes and reverse 64 policy decisions that have served to exacerbate the situation.  An excerpt of Bilirakis’s remarks are included below:

Washington, DC:   Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis released the following statement after voting in favor of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) provided the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address:

After voting against this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congressman Gus Bilirakis issued the following statement:

https://floridianpress.com/2022/09/bilirakis-democrats-reckless-spending-to-blame-for-poor-economy/

By Rep. Gus Bilirakis

Dear Editor,

Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis spoke to WFLA's Jack Harris about the urgent crisis occurring along the southern border resulting from President Biden's failed open border policies. More than 3 million illegal migrants have entered our country since President Biden took office. Since last October, 66 suspected terrorists were among those caught illegally entering our country.

Tampa, FL: Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis visited Cyber Florida and the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI), both of which are housed at the University of South Florida in Tampa and led by General (Ret.) Frank McKenzie, former Commander of U.S. Central Command at MacDill AFB. Bilirakis has long-championed the need to modernize our nation's critical infrastructure including: communications, energy, financial, water and transportation (ports, roads and rail) to better protect against cyberwarfare.

WASHINGTON, DC-Congressman Gus Bilirakis and dozens of his Republican colleagues penned a stern letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the first anniversary of the Biden Administration's disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. The group of lawmakers questioned the Administration's mismanagement on every level of the withdrawal of troops and personnel from Afghanistan, including the fall of Kabul, and demanded accountability and oversight for this abject failure.

Zephyrhills, FL: Earlier today, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis spoke to the Greater Tampa Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). Every member of this organization has been awarded the Purple Heart for combat-related injuries. On this national Purple Heart Day, Bilirakis recognized the service and sacrifice of these heroes and provided an update on the work he is doing locally to benefit our heroes, including: securing funding for a new bed tower at James A.

Washington, DC: Earlier today, the House passed the "Reporting Attacks from Nations Selected for Oversight and Monitoring Web Attacks and Ransomware from Enemies Act" or the "RANSOMWARE Act" authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis. This critical bill willstrengthen the federal government's efforts to respond to recent ransomware and other cyber-attacks from foreign adversaries, such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today,Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), alongside, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) announced their bipartisan opposition to the Biden administration's proposal to sell advanced weapons and equipment to Turkey in light of its continued violation of U.S. law and its increasingly belligerent rhetoric and behavior towards Greece, America's reliable, democratic NATO ally.

Washington, DC:The President recently signed two provisions into law that were authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). The first measure, the Reducing Exposure to Burn Pits Act, which Bilirakis co-authored with Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA) is part of the lawmakers' continued joint efforts to protect our nation's men and women in uniform.

Washington, DC: Congressman Gus Bilirakis and a group of his Congressional colleagues sent a letter to Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Lloyd J. Austin, asking his agency to delay involuntary discharges from the military until the agency fully complies with a provision in the recently passed National Defense Appropriation Act which requires the DOD to establish uniform procedures under which members of the military can be exempted from the COVID vaccine mandate.

Washington, DC: Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Nicole Malliotakis recently sent a stern letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken vociferously objecting to the Administration's recent reversal of support for the Eastern Mediterranean Pipeline. By undermining the project, the Administration is undercutting three of our strongest allies in the region: Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, as well as the European Union's hopes for energy independence and economic prosperity.

Washington, DC: Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis and a group of his colleagues co-sponsored a House Resolution condemning the heinous terrorist attack on Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, on January 15, 2022. This resolution acknowledges the local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who responded swiftly to Saturday's incident, and makes it clear that the United States Congress stands behind both the city of Colleyville and the entire Jewish community.

Continuing his strong record of legislative achievement, two more bills co-authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis have recently been signed into law. The Department of Defense (DOD) Burn Pits Health Provider Training Act implements mandatory training for all DOD medical providers on the potential health effects of burn pits. This legislative change will help ensure the early identification and treatment of health issues caused by burn pit exposure.

Palm Harbor: U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis applauds the United States Air Force's recent decision to select MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa as its home base for 24 new KC-46 Pegasus tankers. MacDill Air Force Base is already home to 28 associate units from all branches of the military, including: U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the 927^th Air Refueling Wing.

Washington, DC: Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) proudly cast a vote in favor of this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which is now headed back to the Senate and then to the President to become law.

Contact: Summer Blevins, 727-232-2921

Bilirakis Selected to Serve as Conferee, Continues to Champion Changes to Help Active Duty Military and Veterans

Contact

Summer Robertson

727-232-2921

Bilirakis Champions Changes to Help Active Duty Military and Veterans

This week the U.S. House of Representatives advanced legislation to help support our U.S. military and Veterans.

On Wednesday, the House advanced H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to advance vital funding and authorities for the United States Military.

Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement following the President's State of the Union Address:

"The President, once again, delivered his laundry list of empty goals and failed policies during his final address to the American people tonight.

While he may be content with the path he has paved, I remain dedicated to leading our nation down a solid road with a brighter, more prosperous future.

On Thursday, the House advanced H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act. This legislation makes permanent over 20 tax relief provisions and extends a number of other tax relief provisions that expired in 2014.

"This legislation delivers certainty to taxpayers in my district and across the country," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). "This bill prevents tax increases which would have been harmful to our economy and will help strengthen the integrity of tax credit programs to prevent fraud and abuse. This bill is a win for taxpayers."

The recent terrorist attacks in Paris are a tragic wake up call to the growing, nefarious spread of radical Islam. Congress has gotten the message loud and clear - even if the president hasn't. Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement:

Last week, President Obama used his veto power for the fifth time since taking office to reject legislation that would help our military, their families and our country as a whole.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a crucial piece of legislation that will authorize necessary funds for the Department of Defense to provide our military with the tools they need to defend our country.

This bill represents a remarkable and, unfortunately, rare, display of bicameral bipartisanship.

Time and time again we hear the complaints regarding politics in Washington. The President himself has expressed frustrations with the partisan atmosphere in our nation's capital and has asked that Congress work together on issues important to our country.

The President asked and we answered.

Last week, we sent the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to the President's desk for signature. This crucial legislation will authorize necessary funds for the Department of Defense to provide our military with the tools they need to defend our country.