Inside the mission to bring aging research into the halls of Congress—and how it could shape the future of healthspan for everyone
In the evolving world of wellness and longevity, breakthroughs in science often steal the spotlight. But as anyone working in health innovation knows, scientific discovery must eventually pass through another gate before reaching the public: public policy.
That’s why the formation of the Longevity Science Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023 was such a significant moment—not just for researchers and startups, but for anyone hoping to live a longer, healthier life.
At the forefront of this effort is Representative Gus Bilirakis, a Republican Congressman from Florida who co-founded the bipartisan caucus alongside Democrat Rep. Paul Tonko. Their goal is simple yet ambitious: to foster federal support for aging research, accelerate innovation in longevity biotech, and build a national understanding that aging itself is a modifiable risk factor—one that science is now beginning to influence.
We sat down with Rep. Bilirakis to understand his motivations, his vision for the caucus, and why longevity science should be a national priority.
“Aging Is Not Just About Getting Old—It’s About Staying Well Longer”
Rep. Bilirakis speaks with clarity and conviction about the implications of longevity science—not just as a medical breakthrough, but as a social and economic necessity.
“Aging touches everything,” he says. “Healthcare costs, workforce productivity, mental health, family caregiving, even our economy’s long-term sustainability. The more we can help people stay healthy as they age, the more resilient we all become.”
Bilirakis, whose district includes many retirees and older adults in Florida, has long been a proponent of patient-centered healthcare and preventive medicine. He sees longevity science not as futuristic or fringe, but as a practical extension of disease prevention—just better funded and more data-driven.
“There’s growing science showing that aging itself is a driver of multiple chronic diseases. If we can delay aging biologically, even by a few years, the ripple effects would be enormous,” he explains. “That’s not just good for individuals. That’s smart policy.”
The Birth of the Longevity Science Caucus
The Longevity Science Caucus was officially launched in May 2023, just as momentum in aging biology was reaching a new peak. Research into senolytics, partial cellular reprogramming, NAD+ metabolism, and AI-driven drug discovery was accelerating—and increasingly, scientists were calling for regulatory and legislative frameworks to support translation into therapies.
Bilirakis and Tonko recognized the moment. They wanted to provide a home in Congress for discussions about longevity science, bringing together members from both sides of the aisle who could support evidence-based aging research without getting mired in political divisions.
The caucus is now actively working to:
- Educate lawmakers about the biology of aging and the potential of emerging therapies
- Encourage NIH and FDA engagement with aging-focused research
- Explore incentives for longevity biotech startups
- Investigate how aging interventions can reduce Medicare and Medicaid costs
“What we’re doing isn’t about immortality,” Bilirakis clarifies. “It’s about expanding healthspan—keeping people productive and independent longer. That’s a win for families, for budgets, and for the quality of life across the board.”
Longevity as a Bipartisan Opportunity
In a deeply polarized political environment, the Longevity Science Caucus has emerged as a rare source of consensus.
Bilirakis believes this is no accident. “Longevity science has something for everyone,” he says. “For conservatives, it’s about lowering healthcare costs and supporting free-market innovation. For progressives, it’s about equity, access, and extending dignity to older adults. The science unites us in common cause.”
That common cause, according to Bilirakis, is rooted in a shared vision of aging with dignity. “Nobody wants to spend their later years in pain, in decline, or as a burden. Science can help change that. We just have to make sure government is part of the solution, not a barrier.”
The Road Ahead: Funding, Regulation, and Public Awareness
One of the Caucus’s immediate goals is to increase funding for biological aging research at the federal level, particularly through the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
Currently, most federal research dollars go toward individual diseases—cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s—rather than the aging process that drives them all. Bilirakis wants to change that.
“If aging is the underlying driver, let’s treat it that way in our science budgets,” he says. “That doesn’t mean abandoning disease-specific work, but it does mean recognizing that aging biology is a force multiplier.”
He’s also focused on ensuring the FDA and other agencies understand how to evaluate longevity therapies, which often work across multiple organs or disease pathways.
“These treatments don’t always fit neatly into our current approval processes,” Bilirakis notes. “That’s why dialogue between scientists and regulators is critical—and why Congress needs to play a supportive role.”
Public Engagement: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Society
When asked about public awareness, Bilirakis acknowledges a challenge: many people still associate longevity science with Silicon Valley hype or billionaire pet projects. But he insists the real story is far more democratic.
“This is not just for tech elites,” he says. “It’s for veterans with chronic injuries. For grandmothers who want more years with their grandkids. For nurses, truck drivers, teachers—anyone who wants to stay active and vibrant as they age.”
Part of the caucus’s mission is to educate the public about what’s real and what’s speculative in the longevity space. That includes supporting public–private partnerships, community pilot programs, and open science initiatives that make research transparent, inclusive, and accessible.
“We want people to know this isn’t a sci-fi dream,” he says. “It’s already happening. And it could be coming to your doctor’s office in the next decade.”
Why Longevity Science Is Personal
For Bilirakis, the issue of aging isn’t abstract. It’s personal.
“I’ve seen what aging can take from people—their energy, their memory, their independence. But I’ve also seen how science can give it back,” he says. “That’s what inspires me. If we can add life to years, not just years to life, that’s something worth fighting for.”
He talks about constituents who struggle with early cognitive decline, with brittle bones, with diabetes and metabolic disease. “These are good people who worked hard all their lives. They deserve more than pills and procedures. They deserve real solutions.”
In longevity science, he sees the promise of not just better health—but a more compassionate society.
A Call to Action: Making Aging a National Priority
Bilirakis is clear: the work of the Longevity Science Caucus is just beginning. And its success will depend not only on scientists and lawmakers, but on an informed and engaged public.
He encourages readers to:
- Stay informed about developments in aging science
- Talk to your representatives about the importance of healthspan
- Support clinical trials and citizen science efforts
- Advocate for federal funding and regulatory clarity
“We can’t afford to let this moment pass,” he says. “The science is moving fast. Now it’s time for policy to catch up—and for all of us to be part of that conversation.”
Final Thoughts: When Science Meets Policy, Aging Becomes a Choice
At its heart, the Longevity Science Caucus is about bridging the gap between what’s scientifically possible and what’s politically feasible.
Thanks to leaders like Rep. Bilirakis, that bridge is starting to form. And as more people live longer, healthier lives, the question won’t just be how long we live—but how well we live—and whether our institutions can evolve to support that new reality.
In a time when the news is often dominated by division, this movement reminds us of something deeply human and unifying: the desire to age with grace, with energy, and with the full dignity of our potential intact.
Longevity science may not be the flashiest issue in Washington. But if Rep. Bilirakis has his way, it may soon be one of the most important.