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Dear Neighbor,

Last week, I was honored to witness the certification of Donald J. Trump as the next President of the United States! It was great to celebrate the certification of the 2024 election results alongside Vice-President Elect Vance.

I am already working with my colleagues to implement President Trump’s America First agenda that prioritizes your needs. Please continue reading to learn more about my efforts on your behalf!

Protecting Americans:  I proudly voted in support of the Laken Riley Act, which passed the House.  This important legislation comes on the heels of the tragic murder of Laken Hope Riley, a nursing student from Georgia.  A migrant from Venezuela has been arrested for her murder.  He had previously been arrested on multiple occasions since illegally entering our country and was repeatedly released into the community. The Laken Riley Act would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain individuals who have come here illegally and are subsequently arrested for crimes. 

Laken Riley's death was not an isolated incident. Every community has become part of the open-border crisis.  Violent criminals have poured over the border, and we are determined to put a stop to it.  Our bill protects American communities by requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, and shoplifting offenses.  It also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over immigration enforcement decisions that have harmed the state or its residents.  The Laken Riley Act passed out of the House of Representatives by a 264-159 margin, with 48 Democrats joining our unified Republican Conference in favor of the bill. The bipartisan support shows that at least some Democrats know that their soft-on-crime experiments have failed the American people. We simply can’t allow this lawlessness to continue.  I urge my Senate colleagues to expedite passage of this important public safety measure. 

Standing Up for Americans and Our Allies:  I also proudly voted to pass the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act which sends a clear message to the International Criminal Court (ICC): The US will defend the sovereignty of our country and protect our allies against illegitimate attacks by sanctioning ICC officials.  Our bill rescinds any unobligated funding and prohibits future funding for the ICC. Not a single U.S. taxpayer dollar should go to help an organization that is targeting US citizens and our allies. 

Strengthening Electoral Integrity:  I proudly co-sponsored the SAVE Act which was just reintroduced for the 119th Congress.  Our legislation will require proof of citizenship to vote.

Finding Cures to Help Sick Kids:   A bill I co-authored, The Gabriella Miller Kids First Act, was signed into law last week.  Click here to learn more about how it will support the development of cures and treatments for children with cancer. 

Helping Our Neighbors Recover from Hurricanes:  I’ll never stop fighting for my constituents. Click here to read about the federal funds I helped secure to ensure our community is able to recover from these back-to-back natural disasters.

Pushing Back on Democrats Relentless Pursuit of a Liberal Agenda:  On his way out the door, President Biden is taking extra steps to restrict domestic energy production by announcing executive orders to ban new drilling and oil and natural gas development on more than 625 million acres of U.S. coastal and offshore waters. I can only guess that he wants his legacy to be remembered as one that drove up costs and the price at the pump.  By contrast, my colleagues and I are working to lower costs by unleashing American energy production.  

Raising Awareness:  January is national Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Human trafficking erodes personal dignity and destroys the moral fabric of society. Sadly, it is the fastest-growing illicit trade in the world, generating more than $150 billion in profits annually.  It is easy to think of human trafficking as a problem that happens elsewhere– but the truth is that this affront to humanity reaches all parts of the globe.  The U.S. accounts for almost 52% of global human trafficking with the sex trafficking of minors accounting for the largest percentage.  Traffickers make over $9.5 billion annually in the U.S. alone.  Unfortunately, this problem has been exacerbated by the Biden Administration’s weak border policies which criminal cartels are exploiting.  Obviously, we need to secure the border immediately.  We also must crack down on those who are engaging in this conduct as well as the entities that facilitate it.

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 listened to an update from SHINE about the Medicare and Medicare Advantage options available to seniors at this month's Pasco Aging Network meeting.  

My team also recently attended a small business networking meeting in Hernando County to hear directly from local business owners about their needs and the challenges they face. 

Additionally, my team spoke to a group of seniors in Citrus County about the services that our office provides and resources that are available in the community to help those in need. 

Constituent Corner

My team recently received this note after helping a constituent obtain her late husband's military records. 

So grateful for Joanne in your office who helped me get my husband's records from his time in the Army.  I need this information in order to apply for survivor benefits.  Joanne was kind and within 10 days she had the entirety of what I needed.  I'm so thankful for the help. 

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