WASHINGTON (10 December) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 7321, the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act:

"The American auto industry is an important part of our country's manufacturing base and assuring its viability in the global economy is something that should be a priority. However, as with the financial bailout, I believe that the taxpayers should not be asked to subsidize private companies that are unable to demonstrate long term viability.

WASHINGTON (10 December) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today joined with Republican colleagues in sending a letter today to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) to request that CEOs from institutions receiving taxpayer funds through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) be called to testify before Congress and answer questions about their use of TARP funds.

WASHINGTON (21 November) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today co-sponsored H.R. 7276  legislation that would amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to require prior Congressional approval for future expenditures.

WASHINGTON (10 October) – The Center for Security Policy, one of the nation’s leading national security policy organizations, today named U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-9) a “Champion of National Defense”.  The designation came as CSP released its National Security Scorecard which ranks Members of the US Congress based on their support for – or opposition to – policies that support and sustain US national defense.

WASHINGTON (3 October) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today released the following statement after the House approved the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act:

WASHINGTON (25 September) – The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s leading small business association, today named U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-9) a Guardian of Small Business for his outstanding voting record on behalf of America’s small business owners in the 110th Congress.

WASHINGTON (30 September) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, yesterday released the following statement after the House rejected the Financial Markets Stabilization Bill by a vote of 205 to 228:

WASHINGTON (25 September) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.) joined with his colleagues in supporting two measures designed to improve the lives of veterans and active duty and retired servicemembers.

WASHINGTON (24 September) – On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.) introduced H.R. 7011 to ensure that all eligible combat disabled military retirees are able to collect Combat-Related Special Compensation.

WASHINGTON DC – A Resolution condemning certain Middle East media outlets, authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), was today agreed to by the House by a vote of 409 to 1.

Would Require DHS to Create a Biometric Tracking System for Maritime Immigration Interdiction

WASHINGTON DC – HR 2490, introduced by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), passed the House 394 - 3 (House Roll Call 534).  After passage of this vital immigration legislation, Congressman Bilirakis released the following statement.

“With over 12,000 miles of coastline in the continental United States, securing our waterways is integral in securing the homeland.  As the southwest border fence makes land crossing more difficult, smugglers and potential terrorists will look for other ways to enter the United States.  We must stay ahead of the curve.  Implementing a biometric tracking system for maritime interdictions is a crucial step forward in securing our border.  Coast Guard personnel are the best in the world and this bill will give them another tool in their mission to protect and defend America’s waterways.”

Bilirakis Visited Renewables Lab, Alaskan Oil Fields, and Discussed America’s Energy Future With Energy Leaders

WASHINGTON DC – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Freshman Republican Whip, joined Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and other House Republican Freshman on the “American Energy Tour.”  Congressman Bilirakis traveled to the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colorado.  In addition, Congressman Bilirakis took an aerial tour of ANWR to examine exploration techniques, opportunities, and challenges in the oil industry and spoke with industry and government leaders. 

WASHINGTON DC - Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-09) testified today before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the House Judiciary Committee on HR 5898, the "Silver Alert Grant Program Act of 2008." 

WASHINGTON (26 June) - Congressman Gus Bilirakis today was named a “Friend of the Shareholder” by the American Shareholders Association. This recognition is given for votes in favor of America’s shareholder majority. The votes reflected were from the first session of the 110th Congress (2007).

WASHINGTON (26 June) - Today, Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL) was honored by the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF) with its fourth annual “Guardian of Worker Freedom” award at a private ceremony in the U.S. Capitol.

WASHINGTON (26 Jun) - On Thursday, legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), which creates a pilot program for the mobile biometric screening of aliens interdicted in the maritime environment, was approved by the House Committee on Homeland Security.

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (16 June) - In recognition of his enduring work as a public servant, the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce awarded U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), with the Upper Tampa Bay Cup Award.

WASHINGTON (12 June) – On Thursday, legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.) improving benefits for prisoners of war (POW) was considered by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA).