Gus Bilirakis Named Florida's Most Effective Member of Congress

US Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) has brought home yet another reward after being named Florida's most effective law maker in Congress.

The Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL), a joint partnership between the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia and the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University, has just issued its rankings of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 117^th Congress.

The CEL bases these scores on, "proven ability to advance agenda items through the legislative process and into law. In defining legislative effectiveness in this way, it is important to note that our definition consists of four separate components: proven ability, advancing legislation, members' agenda items, and progression through the legislative process into law."

Congressman Bilirakis was honored by being named Florida's most effective member for the third time.  In the Spring of 2021, Bilirakis was named the most effective Republican member of Congress by the same organization.  Back then Bilirakis said, "my constituents send me to Washington to get things done on their behalf, and that is my primary focus as I work to better our community and the lives of those I serve,” adding that “achieving that goal requires ongoing relationship-building with all stakeholders."

What might be even more impressive is Bilirakis' achievement of being labeled with, "exceeds expectations."  This now means Bilirakis has the 10th longest streak of all time of achieving this recognition of all time, an honor that only one quarter of law makers are issued.

Bilirakis has had a career in Congress that has featured an abundance of bipartisan legislation, while also holding the line on conservative values and ideals that his platform seems to be based upon.  Bilirakis previously told the Floridian, "While I am never willing to compromise my principles, I do believe in working together to find common ground,” Bilirakis noted, affirming that he “will continue this approach as I work to address the serious challenges facing our nation."