Representative Gus Bilirakis
Introduced 04/01/2025
Introduced 03/05/2025
Introduced 01/07/2025
Introduced 02/07/2024
Adapted by the House 07/09/2024
YES – Cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Education Act (H.R.2803)
YES – Cosponsored Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act (H.R.1890)
YES – Condemning Turkey for its illegal occupation of Cyprus and encouraging President Trump to make the resolution of the Cyprus problem a top foreign policy priority. (H.Res.17)
YES – Armenian Protection Act (H.R.7288)
YES -Condemning Türkiye’s Aggression Against Cyprus. (H.R.1165)
Additional Positions and Statements:
Opposition to Turkish Aggression: Consistently condemned Turkey’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly violations of Greek airspace and territorial waters, emphasizing the need to hold President Erdoğan accountable for destabilizing the region.
Advocacy for Cyprus: Consistently condemned Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus and advocated for the island’s reunification, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and protecting the rights of all Cypriots.
Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL, 12th District)
Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis represents Florida’s 12th Congressional District, which includes Citrus, Hernando, and most of Pasco Counties in the Tampa Bay area. A second-generation Greek American, Bilirakis has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007, succeeding his father, Michael Bilirakis, who held the seat for 24 years. Congressman Bilirakis has built a strong legislative record across multiple domestic issues but maintains a foreign policy stance that strongly opposes strengthened U.S.-Turkiye relations.
Committee Assignments & Leadership
* Senior Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee
* Chair, Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce
* Member, Subcommittees on Health and on Communications and Technology
He has been recognized as Florida’s Most Effective Legislator by Vanderbilt University and has authored 75 bills signed into law since 2015, primarily focusing on healthcare, veterans’ issues, and economic development.
Foreign Policy and Turkiye While Congressman Bilirakis’ domestic legislative accomplishments have benefited a broad range of constituents, including Turkish Americans, his foreign policy record reflects strong opposition to U.S.-Turkiye cooperation:
Not a Member of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkiye Relations and Turkish Americans
Co-Chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus and Congressional Hellenic Caucus
Consistent Opponent of U.S. arms sales to Turkiye, particularly the transfer and modernization of F-16 fighter jets