Gus Bilirakis

Bilirakis was born in Gainesville, Florida, and grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida, the son of Evelyn (née Miaoulis) and Michael Bilirakis.{{Cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/bilirakis.htm|title=Ancestry® {{!}} Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records|website=freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313025006/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/bilirakis.htm|archive-date=2016-03-13|url-status=dead}} He lives in Palm Harbor and is the grandson of Greek immigrants. His grandfather owned a local bakery where Bilirakis worked from a young age.

Bilirakis graduated from Tarpon Springs High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. He then attended the University of Florida, where he graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He received his J.D. degree from the Stetson University College of Law in 1989. He was an intern for U.S. President Ronald Reagan.{{cite web |title=Gus Michael Bilirakis |url=https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4169 |website=Florida House of Representatives |access-date=26 March 2021}}

Bilirakis operated a law practice, the Bilirakis Law Group, specializing in probate and estate planning, which he took over from his father, Michael Bilirakis. His father served in Congress from 1983 to 2007, and Gus helped run his campaigns.

Bilirakis was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1998 when he won the District 48 seat held for 10 years by Representative Sandy Safley, R-Clearwater, who decided not to run again. This district covers most of north Pinellas County, part of Pasco County, and part of Hillsborough County.

During his tenure in Tallahassee (1998–2006), he chaired several panels including Crime Prevention, Public Safety Appropriations, and the Economic Development, Trade, & Banking Committee.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

{{Main|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 12}}

File:Gus Bilirakis, official 110th Congress photo 2.jpg

In 2006, Michael Bilirakis announced his retirement after 24 years in Congress, and Gus Bilirakis entered the race to succeed his father in what was then the 9th District. He defeated Hillsborough County Commissioner Phyllis Busansky in the general election with 55% of the vote to become the district's second representative. He has been reelected three more times without substantive opposition.

File:Nicole Johnson with Congressman Gus Bilirakis.jpg]]

For the 118th Congress:{{cite web |title=Gus M. Bilirakis |url=https://clerk.house.gov/members/B001257 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=3 May 2023}}

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
• Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
• Subcommittee on Health
• Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce (Chairman)

Bilirakis and Representative Ted Deutch formed the Congressional Hellenic-Israeli Alliance in February 2013.{{cite web |title=Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance Caucus |url=http://www.americanhellenic.org/congressional-hellenic-israel-alliance-caucus/ |website=American Hellenic Council |access-date=26 March 2021}}

• Republican Study Committee{{Cite web|date=2017-12-06|title=Membership|url=https://rsc-banks.house.gov/about/membership|access-date=2021-03-28|website=Republican Study Committee|language=en}}
• Co-chair of [https://diabetescaucus-degette.house.gov/ Congressional Diabetes Caucus]
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption{{Cite web|title=Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute|url=https://www.ccainstitute.org|language=en}}
• Rare Disease Caucus{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=12 March 2025}}

Bilirakis is a member of the Republican Party's Whip Team and is Chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Task Force for the Republican Policy Committee. Additionally, Bilirakis serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Military Veterans Caucus and the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.

He is a signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge{{Cite web|url=http://www.atr.org/current-taxpayer-protection-pledge-signers-th-a2851|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725024055/http://www.atr.org/current-taxpayer-protection-pledge-signers-th-a2851|title=Current Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers|archivedate=July 25, 2011}} and a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity promising to vote against any climate change legislation that would raise taxes.{{Cite web |url=http://americansforprosperity.org/files/Bilirakis_Gus.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604174223/http://www.americansforprosperity.org/files/Bilirakis_Gus.pdf |archive-date=2012-06-04 |url-status=dead }}

On September 29, 2008, Bilirakis voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.{{cite web|title= Bailout Roll Call |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll681.xml| date= 2009-10-03 |access-date=April 19, 2009 }}

In 2022, Bilirakis voted against naming a federal building in Florida after Joseph W. Hatchett, the first Black State Supreme Court judge in Florida and south of the Mason-Dixon line.{{Cite news |last=Karni |first=Annie |date=2022-04-12 |title=House G.O.P., Banding Together, Kills Bid to Honor Pioneering Black Judge |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/12/us/politics/gop-joseph-hatchett-florida.html |access-date=2022-04-12 |issn=0362-4331}} File:Rentathon App.jpg students with Gus Bilirakis after winning the 2020 Congressional App Challenge.]]

Bilirakis supports repealing the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Kathryn|title=Tax bill debate reaches Palm Harbor|url=http://www.tbnweekly.com/north_county/tax-bill-debate-reaches-palm-harbor/article_2c7b41c0-e20d-11e7-8533-afd3c5ace401.html|website=Tampa Bay Newspapers|date=15 December 2017 |access-date=24 December 2017|language=en}}

On February 11, 2017, Bilirakis hosted a townhall in Pasco County, Florida, where he was faced with several protesters angry over the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act, when a member of the local party (an unauthorized speaker for the county REC), Bill Akins repeated the now debunked claim that the ACA contains "what is effectively known as death panels". Bilirakis nodded in agreement and later told CNN, "The board exists, OK? And I've voted to repeal the board." Bilirakis seemed to equate the "death panel" with the Independent Advisory Board, a 15-member committee that issues recommendations for reducing healthcare costs, subject to congressional oversight and approval.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/11/politics/death-panel-florida-gop-congressman/index.html|title='Death panel' disputes erupt at Florida GOP congressman's town hall|first=Eric |last=Bradner|work=CNN|access-date=2018-05-25}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/aug/10/sarah-palin/sarah-palin-barack-obama-death-panel|title=Sarah Palin falsely claims Barack Obama runs a 'death panel'|work=@politifact|access-date=2018-05-25|language=en}}

In early October 2018, Bilirakis released a campaign advertisement touting his work fighting opioids in Pasco County, Florida. In the advertisement, he took credit for a law he did not have a hand in crafting. The 30-second ad flashed text about a "Bilirakis INTERDICT ACT" as Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said Bilirakis is "giving us the tools to do our job and get traffickers off the street". The INTERDICT Act provides funding and equipment to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for detecting imported fentanyl. But Bilirakis was neither a sponsor nor one of 18 co-sponsors, making it unclear how it is the "Bilirakis INTERDICT Act".{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/florida-congressman-seemingly-takes-credit-for-opioid-bill-he-didnt-sponsor-in-campaign-ad|title=Florida congressman seemingly takes credit for opioid bill he didn't sponsor in campaign ad|last=Schallhorn|first=Kaitlyn|date=2018-10-11|work=Fox News|access-date=2018-10-16|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/10/10/bilirakis-takes-credit-for-law-he-did-not-craft-in-new-ad-touting-fight-on-opioids/|title=Bilirakis takes credit for law he did not craft in new ad touting fight on opioids|last=McManus|first=Tracey|work=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=2018-10-16|language=en-US}}

Bilirakis voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.{{cite web|last1=Almukhtar|first1=Sarah|title=How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|access-date=24 December 2017|date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053322/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=0 |archive-date=22 December 2017 |url-status=live}}

From 2015 to 2016, Bilirakis accepted $2,000 in direct campaign contributions from the NRA's Political Victory Fund;{{cite news |last=Grinberg |first=Emanuella |date=21 February 2018 |title=These Florida lawmakers accepted money from the National Rifle Association |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/19/politics/nra-pvf-contributions-florida-politicians/index.html |work=CNN |location=Atlanta |access-date=22 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222023226/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/19/politics/nra-pvf-contributions-florida-politicians/index.html |archive-date= 22 February 2018|url-status=live}} As of 2017, he has an "A" rating from the NRA, indicating a voting record that is generally pro-gun rights.{{cite web| website=ISPY|publisher=Vote Smart|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/17318/gus-bilirakis?categoryId=37&type=V,S,R,E,F,P#.Wp3T0edG1PZ| title=Gus Bilirakis' Political Summary on Issue: Guns|access-date=5 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306142306/https://votesmart.org/candidate/17318/gus-bilirakis?categoryId=37&type=V,S,R,E,F,P|archive-date=6 March 2018 |url-status=live}}

As a U.S. Representative, Bilirakis has voted on several pieces of legislation pertaining to firearms. He supported [https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/38 H. R. 38], which would enable concealed carry reciprocity among all states if and when it is signed into law.{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2017/roll663.xml| title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 663 | website=clerk.house.gov|publisher=U.S. Federal Government|access-date=5 March 2018}}

In March 2017, Bilirakis voted for the [https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1181 Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act], which, if signed into law, would prohibit, in any case arising out of the administration of laws and benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs, any person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness, of the right to receive or transport firearms, without the order or finding of a judicial authority of competent jurisdiction.{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/629|title = H.R.629 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act|date = 3 February 2017}}

After the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Bilirakis signed a letter written to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, urging it to reevaluate the legal status of bump stocks. No action had been taken as of March 2018.{{cite web|url=https://kinzinger.house.gov/uploadedfiles/10112017_kinzinger_bipartisan_member_letter_to_atf_requesting_re-evaluation_of_bump_stocks.pdf| title=Letter to the Hon. Thomas Brandon, Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Bipartisan Letter to Ban Bump Stocks| access-date=5 March 2018| archive-date=6 March 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306082846/https://kinzinger.house.gov/uploadedfiles/10112017_kinzinger_bipartisan_member_letter_to_atf_requesting_re-evaluation_of_bump_stocks.pdf| url-status=dead}}

In the wake of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, Bilirakis said that he would be willing to consider gun control legislation, "if that's what it takes".{{cite web|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/256665-delegation-2-27-18-insights-beltway-sunshine-state| website=Florida Politics|title=Delegation for 2.27.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State| author=Staff Reports| date=27 February 2018| publisher=Peter Schorsch| access-date=5 March 2018}} He said that, specifically, he would support more school resource officers in schools. He also announced his support for legislation that would ensure "that those who are mentally ill do not have access to weapons".{{cite web|url=https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bilirakis-issues-statement-response-tragedy-marjory-stoneman| title=Congressman Bilirakis Issues Statement in Response to Tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School| date=15 February 2018| website=Congressman Gus Bilirakis|publisher=U.S. Federal Government|access-date=5 March 2018}}

On October 1, 2020, Bilirakis co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that condemned Azerbaijan's offensive operations against the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, denounced Turkey's role in the Nagorno-Karabakh war, and called for an immediate ceasefire.{{cite news |title=Senate and House Leaders to Secretary of State Pompeo: Cut Military Aid to Azerbaijan; Sanction Turkey for Ongoing Attacks Against Armenia and Artsakh |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2020/10/02/senate-and-house-leaders-to-secretary-of-state-pompeo-cut-military-aid-to-azerbaijan-sanction-turkey-for-ongoing-attacks-against-armenia-and-artsakh/ |work=The Armenian Weekly |date=October 2, 2020}}

Bilirakis voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.{{Cite news |last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |date=2023-10-25 |title=House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/us/politics/house-israel-vote.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Washington |first=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=2023-10-25 |title=Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023528 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}}

In December 2020, Bilirakis was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated{{cite web|last1=Blood|first1=Michael R.|last2=Riccardi|first2=Nicholas|date=December 5, 2020|title=Biden officially secures enough electors to become president|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa|url-status=live|access-date=December 12, 2020|website=AP News|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201209/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa}} incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.{{Cite news|last=Liptak|first=Adam|author-link=Adam Liptak|date=2020-12-11|title=Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/us/politics/supreme-court-election-texas.html|access-date=2020-12-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211234955/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/us/politics/supreme-court-election-texas.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Order in Pending Case|url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/121120zr_p860.pdf|date=2020-12-11|publisher=Supreme Court of the United States|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211234004/https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/121120zr_p860.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/politics/read-house-republicans-texas-supreme-court/index.html|title=Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court|first=Daniella |last=Diaz|work=CNN|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212000435/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/politics/read-house-republicans-texas-supreme-court/index.html|url-status=live}}

In an editorial, the Tampa Bay Times wrote that Bilirakis "chose partisan games over national interest". The Orlando Sentinel published an editorial calling the signers of the amicus brief a "national embarrassment", a "danger to democracy", and the "Sedition Caucus".{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2020/12/16/congressman-bilirakis-chose-partisan-games-over-the-national-interest-editorial/|title=Congressman Bilirakis chose partisan games over the national interest|first=Tampa Publishing|last=Company|website=Tampa Bay Times}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/editorials/os-op-florida-republicans-congress-january-6-electors-20201231-3x5vqaavqbg5fiqh6crkryihby-story.html|title=Florida's Republicans in Congress: A national embarrassment, a danger to democracy | Editorial|first=Orlando Sentinel Editorial|last=Board|website=orlandosentinel.com|date=31 December 2020 }} House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement that called signing the amicus brief an act of "election subversion".{{Cite news|last1=Smith|first1=David|date=2020-12-12|title=Supreme court rejects Trump-backed Texas lawsuit aiming to overturn election results|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/11/supreme-court-rejects-trump-backed-texas-lawsuit-aiming-to-overturn-election-results|access-date=2020-12-13|work=The Guardian|language=en}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/121120-3 |title=Pelosi Statement on Supreme Court Rejecting GOP Election Sabotage Lawsuit |publisher=Speaker Nancy Pelosi |date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814224010/https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/121120-3 |url-status=dead }}

Many of the signers of the Texas v. Pennsylvania amicus brief objected to the certification of the 2020 Electoral College vote, but Bilirakis was absent due to contracting COVID-19.{{cite news |last1=Contorno |first1=Steve |title=Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor tests positive for coronavirus |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2021/01/06/rep-gus-bilirakis-of-palm-harbor-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/ |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=Tampa Bay Times}}

As a result of Donald Trump's role in the 2021 United States Capitol attack, the House of Representatives impeached Trump a second time. Bilirakis voted against impeachment, calling it "politically motivated" and a "highly polarizing ruse that will only further divide Americans".{{cite news |title=Please see the statement below from Congressman Bilirakis regarding today's proposed impeachment. |url=https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/please-see-statement-below-congressman-bilirakis-regarding-today-s-proposed |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=U.S. House of Representatives |date=13 January 2021}}

Bilirakis has four children{{cite web|title=About Gus|url=http://bilirakis.house.gov/biography/|access-date=2014-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208190732/https://bilirakis.house.gov/biography|archive-date=2014-12-08|url-status=dead}} and is an Eastern Orthodox Christian.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pewforum.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/01/Detailed-tables-NUMBER-CHECK-COMPLETE-1-3.pdf|title=Religious affiliation of members of 116th Congress}}

In 2014, Bilirakis had a cameo as a job applicant in the feature film Walt Before Mickey starring Thomas Ian Nicholas, Jon Heder, and Armando Gutierrez.{{cite web |title=Gus Bilirakis |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6112036/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t61 |access-date=19 September 2015 |work=IMDb}}

• {{flag|Greece}}
• 45px Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix{{Cite web |date=12 July 2024 |title="Greece Honors US Congressman Gus Bilirakis" |url=https://greekreporter.com/2024/07/12/us-congressman-gus-bilirakis-honored-greece/ |access-date=16 July 2024}}

{{reflist|30em}}

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{{wikiquote}}

• [http://bilirakis.house.gov/ Congressman Gus Bilirakis] official U.S. House website
• [http://www.bilirakisforcongress.com/ Gus Bilirakis for Congress]
• {{C-SPAN|1022873}}
• {{CongLinks | congbio=b001257 | votesmart=17318 | fec=H6FL09070 | congress=gus-bilirakis/B001257 }}

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Category:1963 births

Category:21st-century members of the Florida Legislature

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:American people of Greek descent

Category:Eastern Orthodox Christians from Florida

Category:Greek Orthodox Christians from the United States

Category:Living people

Category:People from Palm Harbor, Florida

Category:People from Tarpon Springs, Florida

Category:Republican Party members of the Florida House of Representatives

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida

Category:Stetson University College of Law alumni

Category:University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences alumni