About Gus Bilirakis

Gus Bilirakis was first elected to Congress on November 7, 2006, to represent Florida’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes portions of Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties.

 

Currently serving his second term, Gus is a member of the House Committees on Homeland Security, Veterans’ Affairs and Foreign Affairs. In the January of 2009, Gus was appointed Ranking Member on the important Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight. In this role he is his party's top congressional watchdog over the Department of Homeland Security.

 

Gus has led efforts to enhance our nation’s visa screening capabilities and has played a key role in efforts to strengthen our nation’s borders; most notably passing legislation to enhance the collection of biometric information from migrants captured at sea who are seeking illegal entry to the United States. He has also successfully placed legislative initiatives in the 9/11 recommendations bill that was signed into law to increase our nation's rail and public transportation security.

 

Gus has introduced legislation to improve health care and benefits for veterans, increase pay for our men and women serving in the Armed Forces and legislation to address the enormous cost of homeowners' insurance and improve access to higher education.

 

During his time as a member of the Florida State House of Representatives and Chair of the Crimes Prevention Appropriations Committee, Gus was instrumental, along with Governor Jeb Bush, in affecting policy that reduced Florida's crime rate by 30 percent. He also introduced legislation to award scholarships to students with disabilities, address Citizens property insurance rates, and develop career and professional academies for high school students.

 

A lifetime Floridian and second-generation son of Greek immigrants, Gus was born in Gainesville, Florida, in 1963. He grew up in a working class family and learned from his father, former Congressman Mike Bilirakis, the importance of public service and hard work.

 

Gus currently resides in Palm Harbor with his wife Eva and his four sons Michael, Teddy, Emanuel and Nicholas.