in the 2009 federal election, bilger won the direct mandate in constituency of ludwigsburg with 39.9% of the vote and became a member of the german bundestag. in the 17th bundestag he was a full member in the committee on transport, construction and urban development, a member of the parliamentary advisory council on sustainable development and a deputy member of the committees health and environment, nature conservation and nuclear safety. he was also a full member of the enquete commission growth, prosperity, quality of life.