Gus Bilirakis
Gus Bilirakis, an attorney and former state House member, has served in the U.S. House since 2007, succeeding his father Michael Bilirakis. He sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he leads the consumer-protection subcommittee and serves on the health and communications subcommittees. He had no Republican primary opponent in 2026 and advanced directly to the November general election in the redrawn 12th District, seeking an 11th term.
How they got on the ballot: No Republican primary; advanced automatically to Nov 3 general election (WUSF: https://www.wusf.org/politics-issues/2026-08-12/democrats-face-uphill-battle-quest-to-wrest-the-seat-held-by-congressman-gus-bilirakis)
Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Taxes & spending Leans agree· based on record
Bilirakis voted for H.R. 1 (the 2025 reconciliation law), which extended the 2017 individual tax cuts and added new deductions while reducing projected federal spending on Medicaid and SNAP. No separate statement on the tradeoff was found. He has also backed eliminating or reducing taxes on overtime, tips and Social Security benefits.
Immigration Strongly agrees· based on record
Bilirakis voted for the Laken Riley Act (H.R. 29, Jan. 7, 2025), which requires federal detention of people in the country illegally who are charged with theft and certain other crimes; every House Republican voted yes. In a statement he said 'criminal illegal immigrants who re-enter our country will be punished' and that cities protecting them 'will no longer be ignored'; he has visited the border and described the situation there as untenable.
"My first duty is keeping my constituents and the American people safe. We are a nation of laws."
Abortion Strongly disagrees· based on record
Bilirakis describes himself as pro-life, applauded the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and voted against the Women's Health Protection Act, the Right to Contraception Act and the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act.
Health care Leans disagree· based on record
Bilirakis voted for H.R. 1, which reduced projected federal Medicaid spending (including new work requirements) and did not extend the enhanced ACA premium subsidies. No statement supporting Medicaid expansion in Florida was found.
Social Security & Medicare Mixed / neutral· stated position
Bilirakis says he wants to 'preserve' Medicare and Social Security and in June 2026 reintroduced the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act, which would create a bipartisan commission to recommend solutions to the programs' projected insolvency; the bill does not itself rule cuts in or out. He also co-sponsored codifying the $6,000 Social Security tax deduction.
Energy & utilities Leans disagree· stated position
Bilirakis joined more than 80 House Republicans in a letter demanding an end to what they called the Biden administration's 'assault on American energy' and maintains an issue page emphasizing domestic energy production. No statement supporting renewable mandates or utility-rate oversight was found.
Ukraine Mixed / neutral· based on record
Mixed record: Bilirakis issued a release lauding passage of Russia sanctions and aid to Ukraine earlier in the war, but is reported to have voted no on H.R. 2913, the Ukraine Support Act (June 4, 2026), which authorized up to $8 billion in loans for military assistance and new Russia sanctions.
Veterans Leans agree· stated position
Introduced the Restore Veterans' Compensation Act of 2026 and lists veterans' issues among his priorities.
No public position found on 9 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Housing affordability, Guns, Education & school choice, Environment & water, Elections & voting, Crime & policing, Gender identity laws, Tariffs & trade, Trump administration. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act — Reintroduced June 2026; would create a bipartisan commission to recommend ways to keep both programs solvent.
- Codify the $6,000 Social Security tax deduction — With Rep. Luna, introduced a bill in February 2026 to make permanent the senior deduction enacted in 2025.
- Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act — Reintroduced legislation aimed at protecting seniors' access to Medicare providers.
- Restore Veterans' Compensation Act of 2026 — Introduced in 2026 to address veterans' compensation.
- Domestic energy production — Signed a House Republican letter calling for reversal of policies restricting U.S. energy production.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Voted for H.R. 1, the 2025 reconciliation law (July 3, 2025).
- Voted for the Laken Riley Act (Jan. 2025) and related immigration enforcement bills.
- Reported to have voted no on H.R. 2913, the Ukraine Support Act (June 4, 2026; passed 226-195).
- Serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee (consumer protection, health, and communications subcommittees).
- Voted for H.R. 1 (2025), the budget reconciliation law that extended the 2017 tax cuts, added Medicaid work requirements, reduced clean-energy tax credits and funded expanded immigration enforcement.