Where's Gus?

When Gus Bilirakis was running for congress last year, we couldn't find him anywhere. We searched but we never were successful in our quest to actually hear him speak in person.

Then suddenly, last February, I accidentally stumbled upon Congressman Gus Bilirakis speaking on C-Span. Yep, I spotted Gus actually delivering a speech. Correction - I watched him read the White House talking points verbatim. At the time, he was reading the GOP party line against the resolution against the Iraq escalation.


I thought to myself, "Honestly, shouldn't he know them by heart now?"

Even though he should know them by rote, Gus read the usual Luntz speak and got louder as he climaxed with a list of terrorist attacks beginning with the World Trade Center in 1993 and ending with a big finale of September 11th. As Lil' Gussie read the usual crap, I was struck about how awkward and bizarre his delivery was. No wonder he was never available for speaking engagements before election day. Would any voter really have voted for him if they heard him read in person? Gus repeated a chopping motion with his hand as he read his script. Gus Bilirakis indeed voted no but I don't remember hearing about his service to our country. Where did he serve?

On Memorial Day, May 28, 2007, we finally spotted Gus in action. Susan S and I attended the Curlew Hills Annual Memorial Day Service in Palm Harbor, FL.

448 Soldiers' Deaths at the Feet of Gus Bilirakis

It's been one week since we posted the number of US troop deaths that can be directly laid at the feet of Congressman Gus Bilirakis since he was sworn into office on January 3, 2007. Today that number stands at 448. 30 more precious lives have ended because my member of Congress would rather protect the ego of George Bush and the tattered remains of the Republican party's reputation than accept the fact that the Iraq War and occupation have failed, and that remaining there will only result in the deaths of more of our troops.

This week, Gus Bilirakis voted with the majority to keep funding this disastrous occupation. Because his party (and some spineless Democrats) would rather prop up George Bush than make him accountable for the failures in the war, we will stand by helpless as more of our brave men and women die for nothing.

Keep calling Congressman Bilirakis' office to express your disgust with his rubberstamping of Bush's policies. Here are the numbers:
Here are the numbers:
1(202) 225-5755
1(813) 985-8541
1(727) 773-2871
(Casualty figures from www.icasualties.org)

418 Deaths on Gus Bilirakis' Watch

We here at GusWatch are fed up. Our congressman was sworn into office on January 3, 2007. Since that day, 418 precious American lives have been lost in George Bush's disastrous war in Iraq. (We can't even convey to you the number of Iraqi deaths because no one deems that worthy of an official count...Another reason to be upset!)

As a member of the 110th Congress, Gus Bilirakis has done nothing to end this quagmire. He is "rubber stamping" Bush's folly, just as his father did. It's time to DEMAND that Gus Bilirakis follows the will of the American people and not the will of George Bush. Please call his office and make your voice heard. DO NOT STAND BY AND ALLOW ONE MORE SOLDIER TO DIE FOR NOTHING. Gus needs to support the Democratic efforts to bring our troops home.

Here are the numbers:

+ 1(202) 225-5755
or
+ 1(813) 985-8541
or
+ 1(727) 773-2871

Budget Passes House and Senate - Gus Bilirakis Votes NO

S CON RES 21
YEA-AND-NAY
17-May-2007

QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Conference Report

BILL TITLE: Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012

VOTE PASSED
Bilirakis - NO

S. Con. Res. 21:
setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012

Where Is the Oversight?

Reps. Gus Bilirakis and C.W. "Bill" Young, as well as Gus' daddy Mike, claim to support veterans. As a matter of fact, that is the hallmark of their service in Congress. So they say. Unfortunately, commemorative coins for disabled vets and anecdotal testimonials aside, here is evidence of whom they've really been supporting.

More cronyism, no oversight.

"Nearly two dozen officials who received hefty performance bonuses last year at the Veterans Affairs Department also sat on the boards charged with recommending the payments.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press raise questions of conflicts of interest or appearances of conflicts in connection with the bonuses, some of which went to senior officials involved in crafting a budget that came up $1.3 billion short and jeopardized veterans' health care.

.....

Rep. John Hall, D-N.Y., has introduced legislation that would freeze 2007 VA bonuses for "senior politically appointed officers" — such as assistant secretaries or deputy undersecretaries — until the agency pares its disability claims backlog to under 100,000 cases. The VA says deputy undersecretaries are career employees, and a committee spokeswoman acknowledged that was the case.
"It is simply unacceptable that veterans are waiting longer and longer for benefits they desperately need while senior staff members in charge of bad policy are rewarded so-called performance bonuses," Hall said."

Until the Democrats took control of the Congress in January, there was no oversight. Where was Daddy Mike Bilirakis on whose coattails Gus rode into office? Where was Rep. Young? Will Gus Bilirakis do a better job? So far, he's been more concerned with protecting an inept, corrupt administration than in protecting our veterans AND the American people.

Gus Bilirakis, Protect Americans Not George Bush

As we read about Gus Bilirakis' recent appointment to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and as we hear about his request for an increase in military pay, let's not overlook the fact that when it comes to protecting our troops in Iraq, Bilirakis' loyalty lies elsewhere.

With his Republican rubber stamp votes, he shows that his military support goes only so deep. He proposes "no brainer" legislation that will win him praise from military veterans here in District 9 (e.g., commemorative coins for disabled vets, reduced fees for veterans entering national parks, better vision care for vets) but on the big votes, the ones that will really protect our soldiers in the field and keep us safe here at home, he would rather shield and protect George Bush.

Gus Bilirakis would rather support the Bush-Cheney debacle in Iraq than bring our soldiers home from a war that is putting all of us in more danger. Just as General Eaton challenges Senator Collins of Maine in the latest VoteVets ad, we at GusWatch challenge Representative Bilirakis to protect the citizens of our country, not George Bush!

(http://www.americablog.com/2007/05/second-general-blasts-bush-and-gop.html)

http://www.hellenicnews.com/readnews.html?newsid=6751&lang=US

Some Votes Gus Forgot to Mention

Touting 101 accomplishments on his website, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-9th CD) stands not only with the minority party of Congress, but with the minority of Americans.

In a recent press release, Congressman Gus Bilirakis touted his "101 Accomplishments During the First 100 Days." Most were uncontroversial, and some were hardly worthy of the designation "accomplishment" (e.g., caucus memberships, committee appointments, etc.) What the Congressman's press release DIDN’T mention is that regarding the major, important issues of the day, he voted against the will of the American people, time and again.

GusWatch thinks that the Congressman’s performance exceeds 101 actions, and would like to continue the list as follows:

#102 - Congressman Bilirakis voted AGAINST citizens who suffer from disease and injuries, including our troops, when he voted NO on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
A recent poll of 1,000 Americans showed a clear majority favored Stem Cell Research (Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News). Here are the results of that polling:

Approve 63%
Disapprove 24%
Don't know 14%

#103 - Congressman Bilirakis voted AGAINST senior citizens when he voted NO on the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act.
1,000 Americans were polled on Drug Price Negotiations (Source: AARP), and this is what the polling found: 87% favor allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies

#104 - Congressman Bilirakis voted AGAINST energy independence when he voted NO on the Long Term Energy Alternatives.
Polling by Pew Research (February 2006), Gallup (April 2006), and the LA Times (July 2006) showed that a clear majority of Americans support the development of alternative energy sources, with more emphasis on conservation and regulation of energy use and prices.

#105 - Congressman Bilirakis voted AGAINST the troops when he voted NO on the Iraq Accountability Act (funding the troops and setting deadlines for bringing them home from Iraq.)
According to an NBC/WSJ poll conducted April 20-23:

56% agree with the Democratic plan to begin withdrawing troops by October 1, 2007
37% agree with George Bush and Gus Bilirakis that no deadline should be set

#106 - Congressman Bilirakis voted AGAINST open government and accountability when he voted NO on the Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007.
No polling available, but the final vote in the House of Representatives was 308 to 117.
80 Republicans voted with the majority for more openness in government. Gus Bilirakis voted with the minority for more secrecy.

#107 - Congressman Bilirakis voted AGAINST working families when he voted NO on the Employee Free Choice Act.
Again, no polling available, but Gus Bilirakis voted with the minority on the bipartisan bill that would protect workers and strengthen the middle class by allowing workers to form, join, and assist labor organizations.

Gus Bilirakis is not representing the will of the American people. He is rubber-stamping George Bush and the minority in Congress. He must be held accountable for these votes at election time.

Round 2: Intelligence Authorization Act Passed - Gus Bilirakis Votes NO

H R 2082
11-May-2007
QUESTION: On Passage

BILL TITLE: Intelligence Authorization Act

VOTE PASSED
Bilirakis - NO

H.R. 2082:
to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes

Recap from Washington Post:
House Approves Revised War Bill - Two-Part Funding Faces Veto Threat
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/10/AR2007051000104.html?nav=rss_print/asection

_______________________________________________________________________

Quick Recap of Day's Events that Ended at 1:30AM with Passage:

1. H RES 388
RECORDED VOTE
10-May-2007
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Resolution

BILL TITLE: Providing for the consideration of H.R. 2082, Intelligence Authorization Act

VOTE PASSED
Bilirakis - NO

H. Res. 388:
providing for the consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2082) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes

2. H RES 387
10-May-2007
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Resolution

BILL TITLE: Providing for the consideration of H.R. 2237, H.R. 2206, and H.R. 2207

VOTE PASSED
Bilirakis - NO

H. Res. 387: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2237) to provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq, providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2206) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2207) making supplemental appropriations for agricultural and other emergency assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes


3. MOTION
RECORDED VOTE
10-May-2007
QUESTION: On Holding A Secret Session

VOTE FAILED
Bilirakis - YES

PRIVILEGED MOTION - Pursuant to clause 9, of rule XVII, Mr. Flake moved that the House resolve itself into a secret session. The Chair put the question on adoption of the non-debatable motion and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Flake demanded a recorded vote.

4.H R 2237
RECORDED VOTE
10-May-2007
QUESTION: On Passage

BILL TITLE: To provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq

VOTE FAILED
Bilirakis - NO

H.R. 2237:
to provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq

5. MOTION
YEA-AND-NAY
10-May-2007

QUESTION: On Holding a Secret Session

PRIVILEGED MOTION - Pursuant to clause 9, rule XVII, Mr. Issa moved that the House resolve itself into a secret session.

VOTE FAILED
Bilirakis - YES

6. H R 2206
YEA-AND-NAY
10-May-2007

QUESTION: On Passage

BILL TITLE: Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007

VOTE PASSED
Bilirakis - NO

H.R. 2206:
making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes

7. H R 2207
YEA-AND-NAY
10-May-2007
QUESTION: On Passage

BILL TITLE: Making supplemental appropriations for agricultural and other emergency assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007

VOTE PASSED
Bilirakis - NO

H.R. 2207:
making supplemental appropriations for agricultural and other emergency assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes

8. 1:30AM - Vote Passes (See #1)

Gus Bilirakis Votes Yes on Homeland Security - Supports Democrat Rep. Castor on Tampa Safety

H R 1684 RECORDED VOTE
9-May-2007
QUESTION: On Passage

BILL TITLE: Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act

Vote: Passed
Bilirakis: Yes

H.R. 1684: to authorize appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes

Tampa Tribune Article -
Port Workers Won't Need 2nd ID Under Security Bill
http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBZZ4OMI1F.html

(Congressman Biliarkis Supports Congresswoman Castor's Views on Tampa's Port Security Measures)

Gus Bilirakis Votes Against Funding to Prosecute Hate Crimes

H R 1592
3-May-2007
QUESTION: On Passage

BILL TITLE: To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes.

VOTE PASSED
Bilirakis - NO

H.R. 1592:
to provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes