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Dear Neighbor,

As we saw last week, the days of America getting walked all over are gone.  Our neighbors are learning that there is a new sheriff in town and that Republicans are serious about using every tool at our disposal to hold border countries accountable for helping to stop the free flow of drugs into our country.  In just days since tariffs against Mexico were proposed, Mexico agreed to send 10,000 troops to the border to help fight trafficking and Canada agreed to implement a $1.3 billion border plan. Canada will also appoint a new Fentanyl Czar and launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering.   Countries are starting to find out that negotiations will no longer be a one-way street.  President Trump made a promise to put American farmers, producers, and workers first – and he has kept it.  Last week's deals with Mexico and Canada secured by President Trump are major steps toward leveling the playing field, securing our borders, and saving lives. I am continuing to work alongside the President on policies that put our country first.  Please continue reading to learn more about my efforts on your behalf last week. 

Restoring an America First Agenda:  A look at the first few bills we’ve passed in 2025 shows that even Democrats are starting to see that our commonsense agenda is good for the country. We welcome them on our mission to restore an America First agenda! 

Stopping the Free Flow of Fentanyl:  Thanks to Biden’s border crisis, fentanyl is pouring across our borders, destroying lives, families, and communities. Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, lead to nearly 70% of overdose deaths, as the drug can be deadly in even small doses and is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. In 2022, more than 200 people died from fentanyl and opioid-related overdoses every day, and fentanyl is the leading cause for death in Americans under 50 years old -taking more lives than heart disease, cancer, suicide, and homicide.  If the temporary order scheduling fentanyl related substances (FRS) ends, several FRS will become street-legal, law enforcement will lose authority to seize them, and drug traffickers will continue to funnel increasingly deadly drugs into the United States. The HALT Fentanyl Act, which I co-authored, passed the House last week with my support.  It permanently classifies fentanyl related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and guarantees law enforcement has the resources to keep these deadly drugs off our streets.

Also, in last week’s Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, we examined ways to combat existing and emerging illicit drug problems. Click here to listen to my exchange with the panelists on this important issue.

Strengthening Public Safety:  I'm pleased President Trump has officially signed the Laken Riley Act into law. This new law requires ICE to detain illegal immigrants who commit crimes. It is a common sense measure to restore law and order to our communities and will help to keep you safe.

I was also honored to host Major Shaun Klucznik of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in DC last week. We discussed important public safety issues impacting our community. I will continue working alongside all of our local law enforcement officers to help keep you safe!

Boosting Energy Production:  We are committed to restoring American Energy Dominance, part of which requires unleashing all safe means of domestic energy production. The “All of the Above” approach includes fracking, a drilling technology used for extracting oil, natural gas, geothermal energy, or water from deep underground.  Fracking accounts for two-thirds of the natural gas in the United States and half of the nation’s oil, and positioning the U.S. as the world's leading producer of natural gas and oil. Despite the large amount of American energy it produces, fracking is under threat, as Democrats continue to attack American energy production. A study conducted by the EPA under the Obama Administration found that fracking has had no “widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States.” American energy production through fracking leads to lower energy prices for families and workers, boosts economic growth, and improves quality of life for Americans. The Protecting American Energy Production Act, which passed the House last week with my support prevents a moratorium on hydraulic fracking and clarifies that states have primacy over energy production on state and private land.

Advocating for Our Nation's Heroes:  Veterans throughout my district have consistently shared horror stories about the many barriers they’ve faced when seeking treatment through the community care program. I’m working on legislation to remove those barriers and ensure that Veterans have access to the high-quality care they’ve earned and deserved.  To learn more about my efforts, click here.

Protecting Religious Freedom:  As Co-Chair of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Caucus in Congress,  I  was honored to provide remarks for the opening session of the IRF Summit that took place in DC to coincide with the National Prayer Breakfast. 

Raising Awareness:  February is Heart Health Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, with one person dying every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease. It is important to understand the signs of a heart attack and to seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms.

Inviting You to Share Feedback:  As we work to restore fiscal sanity and reduce reckless government spending, I’m proud to support President Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). I’m also a member of the Congressional DOGE Caucus, and together we are committed to cutting waste and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. To continue these efforts, I’m hosting a budget workshop to spark community conversations about federal spending. My goal is to promote fiscal responsibility and transparency.  I want to hear directly from YOU about where you believe we should make cuts. This is your chance to have a say in how we prioritize our government’s spending and work together to address our nation’s fiscal challenges. Please join us for a constructive workshop – your input is invaluable. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas!  RSVP is required as space at each location is limited. 

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 attended a memorial service in Holiday for my constituent, Fred Faulkner, Jr. who is an Army Battle of the Bulge Veteran.  

My team also joined local leaders at the ground breaking of the new St. Leo History Center.

Additionally, my team celebrated the life and legacy of Dr.  Martin Luther King, Jr. at the annual MLK Gala in Citrus County. 

Constituent Corner

My team recently received this note after helping a local Veteran whose father was having difficulty obtaining VA benefits.  

We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to you, Colby, and Kristen for your invaluable support in assisting our parents...Thanks to you all, Pop received 100% disability and enough money for them to remain in their home!  It's a shame veterans have to fight so hard to receive the compensation they deserve...  But thanks to you all, they can live their remaining years in comfort without the stress of how to pay their bills.  We are all beside ourselves with joy and gratitude!
Thank you again for your priority, attention, and diligence to their needs.  

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