Bilirakis talks border, abortion

By John Labriola - Congressman Gus Bilirakis talked tough on border security this week in a speech to local Republicans, pledging to stand firm with House Speaker Mike Johnson in opposing the Biden administration's request for billions more in aid to the Ukraine until the U.S. southern border is secure.

"If we don't get something similar to HR 2 to close the border, there won't be any Ukraine funding," Bilirakis said, referring to a Republican House bill to construct more of the border wall and impose new restrictions on asylum seekers.

Bilirakis spoke Wednesday at the Crystal Oaks Republican Club's monthly meeting, where he also expressed support for the State of Israel in its conflict with Hamas, lamented college campus extremism, blasted Biden's weaponization of the justice system, praised Donald Trump, and touted his recent legislative initiative to find a cure for Parkinson's disease.

But the Biden border crisis, which he labeled a "catastrophe," was the main focus of Bilirakis' speech, which came just over a month after the Citrus County Commission adopted a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Diana Finegan urging Congress to secure the border. 

Bilirakis said Biden's open border policies have led to 8 million migrants entering the country illegally since January 2021, costing U.S. taxpayers an estimated $450 billion in health care and other costs and threatening national security by facilitating the entry of hundreds of individuals on terror watchlists. 

"Our adversaries are exploiting our weak border policies," he said. 

During audience questions, Bilirakis also weighed in on abortion. Asked whether he would support federal legislation limiting abortion in light of the abortion industry's recent string of successful pro-abortion ballot initiatives in states across the country, Bilirakis said he preferred leaving the issue to the states but added he "will be open-minded about that." He also expressed confidence that a push by abortion supporters to enshrine abortion on demand in the Florida constitution will fail, despite similar measures passing by wide margins in about half a dozen other states including Ohio. 

According to the Florida Division of Elections website, the pro-abortion political committee Floridians Protecting Freedom, which launched the petition drive in May, has submitted 910,946 valid signatures – more than the 891,523 needed. But before the measure can appear on this November's ballot, the Florida Supreme Court must approve the wording following oral arguments set for next month. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has asked the state's high court to reject the ballot measure because of its deliberately deceptive wording and its violation of the "single subject" rule.
 
As an insurance policy against the proposed abortion amendment, Citrus County residents can sign the Sanctuary for the Unborn petition urging our local elected officials to adopt ordinances outlawing abortion clinics in our community. 

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