December 7 2025
My dear citizens
As we approach the end of the year, I remain committed to delivering solutions that keep our children safe, strengthen our communities, support families, and grow our economy. From advancing cybersecurity reforms to reducing costs, protecting classrooms, and helping hurricane survivors rebuild their lives, I am committed to ensuring that every family has the opportunity to thrive. Below are some of the key efforts we made this past week.
Child protection: For too long, technology companies have failed to adequately protect children and teens from the dangers of the online world. Last week, we introduced a package of online safety bills to address the challenges our children face in the digital age. Parents, educators, and lawmakers agree that they urgently need meaningful, permanent protections – and this was an important first step. Click here to listen to my opening remarks during the hearing.
Our bill, which requires parental consent before children can download apps, is an example of common sense regulation that keeps parents informed and actively involved in their children’s digital lives. By providing parents with effective and easy-to-use tools, we help prevent exposure to harmful apps and protect children’s privacy, while also fostering open communication and digital literacy at home. Learn more about the bill here.A nationwide internet age verification plan is sweeping Congress The Verge
Additionally, the House passed three critical bills to protect our children from the influence of the Chinese Communist Party in American classrooms. The PROTECT Our Kids Act, CLASS Act, and TRACE Act block CCP-linked funding, shut down propaganda programs like “Confucius Classrooms,” and ensure parents are informed and empowered. We are taking decisive action to keep foreign adversaries out of our schools and protect the education of America’s children with full transparency to parents.
Giving hope to children with cancer: Last week, the House also passed the Give Kids a Chance Act, a bipartisan effort to give children battling cancer and rare diseases a real chance at life. This legislation strengthens incentives for pediatric drug development, restores critical programs like the Rare Pediatric Disease FDA Priority Review Vouchers, and ensures that life-saving treatments reach the children who need them most. I am proud to have helped author this bill and to have supported its passage through the full House.
Watch my speech here.Rep. Bilirakis Updated Floor Remarks In Support of Giving Kids a Chance, 12.01.25
Helping hurricane survivors: Pasco County is now accepting applications for the federally funded Better Future Individual Housing Program, which helps residents repair, rebuild or replace homes damaged by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton. To learn more about this opportunity, click here.Better Future
Making America accessible again: Too many Americans continue to feel the pressure of rising costs. That's why I'm working to lower energy prices, reduce duplicative and unnecessary regulations, and boost responsible domestic production.
Reduction of bureaucracy: Small businesses are the backbone of our economy – they account for 99,9% of all businesses in the U.S. and employ nearly 46% of the private sector workforce. We need to help them grow, not burden them with unnecessary red tape. Last week, the House passed the DUMP Red Tape Act, which creates a dedicated long-term reporting center for small businesses and requires the SBA’s Office of Support to submit these reports to Congress annually. This increased transparency and oversight will help us identify and eliminate regulations that stifle growth. I remain committed to reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens so that America’s small businesses can thrive.
Tourism promotion: I am working on bipartisan legislation to boost tourism and our economy. Click here to learn why this proposal is important for Florida and communities across the country.
Honoring Pearl Harbor: Eighty-three years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, we continue to honor the bravery of those who served and the memory of those who were lost. Their sacrifice shaped our history and continues to inspire us.
Learning from you: Tomorrow – December 8 – at noon, I will be hosting a tele-townhall. All voters in my district are invited to participate, and I look forward to hearing your views.
Connect with the Community
I am fortunate to have a team of dedicated associates who frequently participate in events throughout our community, especially when I need to be in Washington, D.C. Through their collective efforts, I am able to stay better connected to the issues that matter most to my constituents. As part of my commitment to developing a deeper understanding of the issues facing constituents in Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties, members of my team attended several events this past week. Here are a few highlights:
My team proudly attended the grand opening of the Wilton Simpson Senior Center in East Pasco, celebrating the opening of a state-of-the-art facility that will be a benchmark for senior services in our community.
My group also attended the unveiling of the World War II Memorial in Brooksville, honoring the bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism of the “Greatest Generation.”
Additionally, my team was especially pleased to hear directly from local small business owners at the Hernando County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting – an invaluable opportunity to learn about their successes, challenges, and ideas for strengthening our community.
Constituent Corner
Recently, my team received this message from a citizen after we helped correct an error in the calculation of his Military Retirement Payment, which resulted in a one-time retroactive payment of $24.562.
Thank you very much for your prompt responses and information regarding this issue.
The effort you make to communicate with the citizens who address you is highly appreciated and I will remember this attitude of yours in the future.
This is just one example of the work we do every day. Serving citizens is a core part of my office in Congress. The federal government is a vast machine, and my office is here to help you if you ever need help navigating the bureaucracy or overcoming obstacles. Also, if you are planning a trip to Washington, D.C., please let us know 90 days in advance so we can help you make the most of your visit.
We are here to serve you!
Gus Bilirakis
Member of Congress
