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Dear Neighbor,

Last Monday, I returned to Washington armed with meaningful input I receieved from constituents during the last two district work periods.  While the pace was hectic, I am proud of the work we accomplished.  Please continue reading to learn more about my efforts on your behalf last week. 

Keeping Promises:  Last Tuesday marked President Trump’s 100th day in office.  During this time, he has delivered on his promises made by securing our borders, restoring our energy independence, delivering peace through strength, and making America competitive again.  I appreciate the President's committment to achieving these goals while protecting our most vulnerable and I share his desire to provide even greater relief to middle class Americans and seniors.  I will proudly continue to work alongside him to build upon this success and restore an America First agenda. 

One of President Trump’s biggest success stories in his first 100 days is enhanced border security.    U. S. Customs and Border Protection now has total control of the border, with daily border encounters down by 93%.  March of 2025 saw the lowest monthly number of border encounters in recorded history, at less than 7,200.  Also, in March of 2025, fentanyl traffic at the southern border fell by 54% compared to March of 2024.  Following President Trump’s negotiation efforts, Mexico cracked down on drug traffickers, seizing 1,500 kilograms and arresting over 6,000 drug traffickers.  To date, the Trump Administration has also arrested more than 151,000 illegal aliens and has deported over 135,000. This includes 600 members of Tren De Aragua and thousands of MS-13 and 18th Street Gang members. Additionally, in just four days, Operation Tidal Wave has apprehended 780 illegal aliens who are members of MS-13, murderers, rapists, drug traffickers and human rights abusers.  Florida’s local, state and federal law enforcement agencies worked cooperatively to make that happen.  This is a preview of what is to come around the country: large scale operations that employ our state and local law enforcement partners to get criminal illegal aliens off our streets.

Strenthening Medicare and Medicaid:After last week's Energy and Commerce Committee meeting, we had a great discussion with Dr. Mehmet Oz, the new Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. I appreciated hearing his common sense vision for how we can strengthen Medicare and Medicaid programs by eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. I will continue fighting to ensure our most vulnerable Americans get the care they need and deserve!

Protecting You and Your Data:  Last week, the House passed a bill I co-authored and shepherded through the legislative process in the House, The Take it Down Act.  The legislation would criminalize the publication of non-consensual, sexually exploitative images—including AI-generated deepfakes—and require platforms to remove images within 48 hours of notice. I am glad we are one step closer to protecting victims of online sexual exploitation. Giving victims rights to flag non-consensual images and requiring social media companies to remove that content quickly is a pivotal and necessary change to the online landscape.  And, by ensuring that AI-generated deep-fake content is included in these protections, Congress is showing its commitment to fighting 21st Century harms that are plaguing our children and grandchildren.  Click here to listen to me discussing this important issue on the House Floor.  I urge my Senate colleagues to expedite passage so it can become law.  

Another bill I authored, the TICKET Act, also passed the House last week.  This legislation will help protect consumers and ensure transparency in the entertainment field. Click here to watch me speak in support of my bill on the House Floor.  

Additionally, my colleagues and I are leading the charge to make sure that technology companies with strong ties to the Chinese government aren’t able to harvest Americans’ personal and proprietary information and introduce new data security vulnerabilities into the U.S. economy. Click here to learn more about our efforts. 

Ensuring Consumer Choice in Automobiles:  In December 2024, the Biden-Harris Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted a waiver of preemption for California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule that places extreme standards on emissions for vehicles in an attempt to make all new vehicles zero emission by 2035 and force Americans to switch to EVs.  This rule will ban the sale of gas-powered and traditional hybrid vehicles gradually – forcing automakers to sell electric vehicles in place of traditional models and taking consumer choice out of Americans’ hands. Electric vehicles are considerably more expensive than gas vehicles and much less reliable in cold weather and with our current grid stability, making them an unrealistic option for many American families. Americans should be able to choose which car best suits their needs and the needs of their family, not be forced to choose an EV because it’s the only option left in the marketplace.  Additionally, these unrealistic regulations place an enormous burden on car manufacturers and even force them to rely on one of our biggest adversaries and the world’s number one polluter – China – which controls around 90 percent of the processing and refining supply chain capacity for the minerals required to power electric vehicles.  We cannot allow the Biden-era regulations to take choice out of consumer hands and force unaffordable options on Americans. Last week, the House passed HJ Res. 99, which repeals the Biden EPA’s waiver allowing California’s burdensome Advanced Clearn Cars II emissions rule, protecting consumer choice, keeping more affordable and realistic car options in the marketplace, and preventing increased manufacturing and consumer costs.

In 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also approved a waiver for California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule under the Clean Air Act, allowing the state to impose stricter emissions standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks than federal requirements. This Biden-era rule would force truck makers to sell zero-emission trucks, imposing more burdensome regulations, increasing vehicle prices for Americans, raising costs and over complicating manufacturing for automakers, and threatening the American supply chain.  I’ve heard from many local truckers who are concerned about the potential negative impact to their industry because of this new rule.  Truckers are the lifeblood of America. If not reversed, the Biden Advanced Clean Trucks rule would demand truck makers implement the expensive transition to electric trucks and disproportionately harm truckers and hardworking American families across the nation. The rule aims for all new trucks to be zero emission by 2035.  Americans are sick and tired of burdensome regulations imposed by unelected bureaucrats to further their radical “Green New Deal” agenda driving up costs and hurting manufacturers. Last week, the House passed H.J. res. 87 to repeal the waiver approving the Advanced Clean Trucks rule and lower vehicle costs for consumers and safeguard the American trucking industry.

Improving Access to Care:  In last week’s Energy and Commerce Committee Mark Up, we advanced multiple bills that will help improve access to quality care for women, seniors and those struggling with mental health and substance use issues.  The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act reauthorizes key public health programs focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery for patients with substance use disorder that were established in the original SUPPORT Act, which was signed into law in 2018.   Similarly, the SOAR to Health and Wellness Act will continue vital resources so local communities can help support individuals who have experienced human trafficking.   Another important measure, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, ensures access to live-saving care by preventing discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including down syndrome, within the organ transplant system. The Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act will support provider and patient education and awareness, as well as strengthen standards and oversight related to tissue transplants to prevent future outbreaks and preventable tragedies.  In addition, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act aims to accelerate research, improve early detection methods, and expand access to preventive services to address the rising rates of lung cancer.  Lastly, the Seniors Access to Critical Medications Act increases access to care by allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive their prescriptions either by mail or by having a family member or caregiver pick up the medication on their behalf.  All of these bills reflect our commitment to improving Americans’ health, protecting the most vulnerable, and strengthening our health care system. 

Reinforcing Our Infrastructure: In last week’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing, we examined ways to strengthen our nation’s telecommunications infrastructure to protect Americans from emerging global threats.  Click here to listen to my exchange with the panelists. 

Fighting for Tax Relief:  Despite what you may be hearing from the radical left, failing to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts will hurt Florida families.  I’ll keep fighting for meaningful tax reform measures that help middle class Americans while protecting Social Security and Medicare.  

Listening to You:  I recently held multiple in-person forums with seniors throughout the district, which were attended by over 900 constituents.   I let participants know that despite the fear mongering and deceptive narrative being pushed by the left, I will never balance the budget on the backs of seniors and Veterans.  We will cut waste, fraud and abuse in order to strengthen critical programs that serve these populations.  Click here to learn more about the discussions.  

I also enjoyed my recent discussion with Dr. Damon Friedman, the CEO of SOF Missions, about his plans to expand their organization’s remarkable efforts to provide high quality, comprehensive care to our most catastrophically injured Veterans throughout Tampa Bay.  I look forward to working with him in support of this project.

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 recently attended the Closing Ceremony for the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Citrus County.  This traveling wall is a moving and beautiful tribute to all of the lives lost during the war and a vivid reminder that we have an obligation to honor their sacrifce.  

My team also attended the NJROTC Change of Command Ceremony at Central High School in Hernando County.  It is wonderful to see the patriotism and commitment to excellence displayed by these young leaders!

Additionally, my team attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Exalt Rehabilitation Center in Trinity.  The new facility will improve access to much needed care within the community.  

Constituent Corner

My team recently received this message from a Pasco County constituent after providing a Capitol tour to his family.  

I just wanted to send a quick note to thank your office for facilitating our US Capitol tour. Colby was our guide and he was absolutely fantastic! I expected an antiseptic, scripted tour and we found ourselves guided by someone who loves his job and loves sharing his knowledge in a personal and fun way. From the moment we met Colby, he introduced himself and immediately began to ask us questions to get to know us. By the time our tour ended,it felt like we had known him for years. We can't thank you enough for facilitating our tour and Colby for this experience. We appreciate the work you all do there and you helped make our visit a memorable one!

This  is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. If you are planning a trip to the Washington, DC area, please let my team know at least 90 days in advance so we can help you maximize your trip!  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