Failing re-election in 2013, he took over Lorenzo Cesa's seat the following year, after the latter was elected to the European Parliament.

After he joined Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia, Occhiuto was re-elected deputy at the 2018 election and became Forza Italia group leader at the Chamber of Deputies after Mariastella Gelmini appointment as Minister of Regional Affairs in the Draghi Cabinet.

Occhiuto ran in 2009 as the Union of the Centre candidate for the office of President of the Province of Cosenza but failed the election by ranking third.

[1] After the sudden death of Jole Santelli and the calling for new regional elections, Occhiuto was appointed as the centre-right candidate for the office of President of Calabria.

[2] On 22 September 2022, he became father of Tommaso, his third son, born from politician Matilde Siracusano [it].