Congressman Bilirakis has been a long-time proponent of public education, both in the Florida Legislature and now in Congress. He has been especially involved in federal education matters, even though he does not serve on the House Education and Labor Committee.

Bilirakis has introduced legislation to increase access to higher education by raising the maximum Pell Grant (federal assistance that deserving students do not have to repay) award. He also supported legislation, over his party’s and the President’s objections, to fund his Pell Grant increase proposal and significantly increase federal education spending.

Congressman Bilirakis also has voted to improve the Head Start program to help close the learning gap between children from disadvantaged families and their more well-off peers. He also supported legislation that is now law to help make college more affordable by reducing interest rates on federally-subsidized student loans.