Foreign Affairs
WASHINGTON: The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, led by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), and Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and joined by Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Dina Titus (NV-1) and Chris Pappas (NH-1), passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The bipartisan legislation aims to bolster the Eastern Mediterranean’s role as a strategic link between India, the Middle East, and Europe.
Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis issued the following statement in support of Operation Absolute Resolve.
Washington, D.C. — Earlier today, Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis (FL-12) and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), along with Representatives Dave Min (CA-47), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Gabe Amo (RI-01), David Valadao (CA-22), and Chris Smith (NJ-04) introduced the Armenia Security Partnership Act. This bipartisan legislation is designed to strengthen U.S.
Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance and the International Religious Freedom Caucus, released the following statement today in response to the historic peace agreement reached in the Middle East:
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance and of the International Religious Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives, issued the following statement marking the second anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks against Israel:
Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, the bipartisan leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues — Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and Dina Titus (D-NV) — issued the following statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), co-chairs and vice co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, led a bipartisan group of 40 lawmakers in calling on the U.S. Department of State to reject Turkey’s attempts to rejoin the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
Washington, DC - Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), co-chairs and vice co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, reintroduced the End the Cyprus Embargo Act, bipartisan legislation that would extend the waiver renewal period for the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus from one year to five years. This change will bolster the historic growth in U.S.-Cypriot relations, enhance bilateral cooperation, and advance U.S.
Washington, D.C. –Nearly two million Americans claim Greek ancestry. Representatives Bilirakis and Pappas who serve as Co-Chairs of the Hellenic Caucus are joined by their colleagues, including: Representatives Nicole Malliotakis, Chris Smith, Dina Titus, Frank Pallone, Seth Magaziner, Grace Meng and Gabe Amo in sponsoring a resolution to commemorate the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence.
WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act, aiming to send a clear message to Ankara: The United States recognizes Turkey’s turn to the Middle East and no longer sees Turkey prioritizing its relationship with Europe. With the introduction of the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act, the lawmakers are formally seeking to move Turkey’s designation at the U.S.
Washington, DC: U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis released the following statement after President-Elect Donald J. Trump announced that Florida’s U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will serve as Secretary of State.
Earlier today, U.S. Congressman issued the following statement in strong support of Israel after reports of Iran’s most recent terror attack.
Washington, DC: Earlier this week, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis met with the Honorable Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece, to accept the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix Award. The Order of the Phoenix, first established in 1926, is awarded to Greeks who have distinguished themselves in the fields of public administration, science, commerce, industry, shipping, and the arts & letters.
“The awful $118 billion Senate Bill would actually worsen the invasion at our border by incentivizing illegal entry of 5,000 per day and giving away U.S. work permits to those claiming asylum. The President already has the authority to close the border today by enforcing existing laws and reversing the 64 actions he has taken since coming to office that have exacerbated the problem.
Washington DC: U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis issued the following statement after introducing a measure to stop U.S. taxpayer funding from going to the government of Azerbaijan.
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, D.C. – Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Chris Pappas, who serve as Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, sent a letter today calling on Great Britain to return to the negotiation table in discussions about returning the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. The Marbles were created in Athens by Pheidias, the greatest sculptor of the classical antiquity. They were part of a frieze that wrapped around the Temple of Athena.
Washington, DC: Earlier today,theCo-Chairs and Vice Co-Chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, Armenian Caucus, Israel Allies Caucus and the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance Caucus (Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Rep. Brad Schneider, Rep. Chris Smith, Rep. Frank Pallone, and Rep. Doug Lamborn, Rep. Chris Pappas, Rep. David Valadao, Rep. Brad Sherman, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Rep. Adam Schiff, and Rep. Dina Titus) issued the following statement:
Washington, DC: Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis issued the following statement condemning anti-Semitism in the wake of pro-Hamas taunts at solemn pro-Israel gatherings in the United States mourning the dead:
Earlier this week, President Biden submitted a request to Congress for emergency funding which includes an additional $24 billion in funding for Ukraine. In the same request, Biden is seeking another $4 billion to address the crisis at the border that has resulted from his Administration’s irresponsible immigration policies. The President is seeking to use a portion of that $4 billion to combat fentanyl flowing into the United States.
WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Brad Schneider (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced bipartisan, bicameral resolutions urging the European Union (EU) to fully designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
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—Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) today introduced bipartisan legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, calling for additional efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Sudan and support the transition to a democratically elected government. This is the first bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives responding to the conflict since it began in April.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), introduced the Armenian Genocide Education Act, bipartisan legislation to promote accurate and effective education about the Armenian Genocide. He was joined by Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA-16), David Valadao (R-CA-22),Ted Lieu (D-CA-36) and 38 other original cosponsors.
Washington, DC: Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), one of the original founders of CHIA, is honored to be joined by his new Co-Chair, Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) to celebrate the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance (CHIA) for the 118th Congress. CHIA works to strengthen and highlight the relationships between the United States, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) provided the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address:
Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Lois Frankel (D-FL-21), Joe Wilson (R-SC-02), Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), and Chris Smith (R-NJ-04) released the following statements after their bipartisan bill to award Benjamin Ferencz—the last living Nuremberg prosecutor—a Congressional Gold Medal was signed into law.
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.
Washington, DC: In response to the rapidly deteriorating political climate in the Eastern Mediterranean, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who serves as Co-Chairman for the Congressional Caucus on House Hellenic Issues and the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance, issued a stern condemnation of continued Turkish aggression toward Greece.
WASHINGTON, DC - Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Chris Pappas, Carolyn Maloney, Frank Pallone, Nicole Malliotakis, John Sarbanes, and David Cicilline applauded the House passage of a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would stop President Biden from selling F-16s to Turkey and put in place needed Congressional oversight to ensure that Turkey does not use F-16s to violate Greece's sovereignty.
Washington, DC - Today, Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), along with Caucus Member Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), issued the following statements opposing the Biden Administration's apparent plans to sell sensitive F-16 modernization kits to Turkey:
WASHINGTON—Congressman Bilirakis and more than 80 Members of Congress released a bicameral joint statement earlier today, calling on the Biden Administration to reverse course on its plan to erode the full and faithful implementation of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 by moving the Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU) out of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel's reporting chain of command and renaming the PAU the "U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs" that would serve as an unofficial U.S.
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, D.C. — Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) today, with Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), introduced the Armenian Genocide Education Act, legislation modeled after her Never Again Education Act that will give teachers across the United States the resources they need to educate our children on the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide and the consequences of intolerance and hate.
"My prayers are with the people of Ukraine as they watch violence unfold on their streets and continue to grapple with a violent invasion led by a power hungry, unstable leader," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "Sadly, this tragedy may have been avoided if President Biden would have backed up weeks of tough talk with serious action. This humanitarian and political crisis is the latest example of how weakness on the international stage only serves to embolden our enemies.
Washington, DC: After the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released an unprecedented update to its natural gas pipeline policy statement that will severely impede new and pending pipeline projects, causing energy costs across the country to remain sky-high and weakening America's energy independence, Congressman Gus Bilirakis and other House Republicans condemned the Administration for the negative impact its continued war against the oil and gas industry is having on American consumers.
Washington, DC: On January 24, 2022, Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Nicole Malliotakis sent a letter to the U.S. Department of State criticizing the Biden Administration for reversing the United States' support of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Pipeline (EMGP).
"The recent rise in anti-Semitic behavior throughout our country and around the globe is simply appalling. Whether it's a group in central Florida using anti-Semitic racial slurs, a Hollywood elite trying to claim that the Holocaust was not rooted in racism, Amnesty International comparing Israel to an apartheid regime, or a coordinated effort to leave anti-Semitic flyers on doorsteps throughout six different states—it is disgusting and unacceptable," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis.
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.
Washington, DC: Saddened by the overdose epidemic that is worsening throughout the nation, Congressman Bilirakis took to the House Floor late last night to spur much needed Congressional action as deaths involving synthetic opioids continue to skyrocket.
Washington, DC: As members of the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance (CHIA), Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Ted Deutch, and Nicole Malliotakis celebrate the inclusion of the US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill, which was co-authored by CHIA Co-Chairs Rep.
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.
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Gus Bilirakis, alongside his Hellenic Caucus Co-Chair Carolyn Maloney (NY-12) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), led a group of colleagues in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken opposing US plans to sell Turkey F-16s and demanding information from the State Department following recent reports of a request from Turkey to purchase 40 F-16 fighter jets and dozens of modernization kits for its existing warplanes from the United States.
Press Release: October 11, 2021
Contact: Summer Blevins (727) 232-2921
Bilirakis Issues Statement on Afghanistan, Calls For Immediate Action
Bilirakis Has Productive Dialogue with Turkish Officials as He Seeks to Improve Relations in Eastern Mediterranean
Reps. Bilirakis, Deutch Introduce US-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act |
Bilirakis Issues Statement on the Formal Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
Bilirakis Leads Hellenic Caucus Members Commemorating 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence
Bilirakis Leads Effort to Remove China from UN Security Council
Washington, D.C.- Earlier today Representative Gus Bilirakis filed a resolution urging the United Nations to take necessary and appropriate procedural actions to remove the People's Republic of China (PRC) from the UN Security Council. This significant action is long overdue given the PRC's horrible record on human rights and continued bad acts on the world stage.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS
Summer Blevins (Bilirakis), summer.blevins@mail.house.gov, 727-232-2921
Maloney & Bilirakis Lead Colleagues in Urging State Dept. to Defend the Sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, Hold Turkey Accountable for Illegal Actions in Varosha
Contact: Summer Robertson
727-232-2921
Bilirakis Condemns Erdogan's Actions
Looking back on 2016, a turbulent year for sure in politics, we often saw the biggest rivalries and the loudest pundits take center stage. All along, my main focus was always working hard on behalf of Florida's 12th District. We accomplished some important legislative wins for our communities, with 16 initiatives I wrote being signed into law this year.
While there's still much work to be done, a unified Republican government come January will give us a strong foundation to solve the largest problems facing Florida and the entire country.
As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Affairs and the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement regarding the rising tensions in the Aegean over recent Turkish provocation.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, introduced a resolution today calling on Great Britain to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. The Marbles were removed from Greece 200 years ago by Thomas Bruce, seventh Earl of Elgin and transported to Great Britain. The Marbles were part of a frieze that wrapped around the Temple of Athena. In 1816, the British Parliament voted to purchase the Marbles and they now reside in the British Museum.
Washington, D.C.– Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, yesterday hosted a joint meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, ahead of his swearing in on September 28, to discuss the future of Greece and the relationship between Greece and the United States. Representatives Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Dina Titus (NV-01), Niki Tsongas (MA-03), Anna Eshoo (CA-18) and John Sarbanes (MD-03) also joined the meeting.