Hello, Friends —
I have very exciting news to share regarding the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola. Last Tuesday, the military base released a statement announcing that it is scheduled to allow seven-day access to areas of public interest on the installation, including the museum, beginning May 17th. The week prior to this announcement, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, I made a request to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to reopen the museum to the public, and I'm grateful that Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven signed a three-year waiver to make it happen. I want to extend my thanks to the leadership at NAS Pensacola and officials at the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation for their tireless efforts in re-opening access to the museum as quickly and as safely as possible. I can't wait to see the museum bustling with visitors once again!
Additionally, Americans deserve complete transparency from their leaders. That's why, last week on Thursday, I cosponsored the Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act to prevent Members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks. Time and again, we see Members of Congress dump stocks right before the price plummets. It's absurd that Representatives and Senators claim their stock trades have no connection to their work in Congress. Elected officials are in a unique position, as they have access to classified information not available to the general public and make policies that affect companies and move markets. With an office of public trust comes a responsibility to not abuse such privileged information for personal gain. It is my responsibility as your Congressman to hold our elected officials accountable, and I will never stop my fight to put the interests of Northwest Floridians first.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
REP. GAETZ: NAS PENSACOLA NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM WILL FINALLY REOPEN!
I've been working diligently to ensure the National Naval Aviation Museum reopens to the public, and I am thrilled it's finally becoming a reality. Two weeks ago, during a House Armed Service Committee hearing, I asked Secretary Carlos Del Toro to commit to further action regarding the reopening of the museum. As a result, Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven signed a three-year waiver to allow the public back on base for museum access.
The National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola is a source of inspiration and a reminder of heroism for our next generation of freedom fighters. The Naval Museum is an iconic landmark that Northwest Floridians are immensely proud of, and we are excited to welcome the world back to honor the brave service members of our past.
CONGRESSMAN GAETZ HOSTS ANNUAL ACADEMY NIGHT!
On Monday of last week, I held my annual Academy Night at Pace High School to launch this year's Congressional Academy Nomination process and share information with prospective students in the First District. As many of you know, the Academy Nomination process is one of my greatest honors as a Congressman. It provides me with the opportunity to meet exceptional students who are passionate about serving our country and to select future officers for our Armed Services. It is always inspiring to witness the dedication of these young individuals who are willing to serve our nation.
The event was a great success, and I am grateful to all those who attended, including the representatives from the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. They provided invaluable insights into their respective institutions, which will undoubtedly help prospective students make informed decisions about their future.
If you're interested in learning more about the process of joining the running for a congressional nomination to the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, or Merchant Marine Academy, please complete the Military Academy nomination application or contact my Director of Military Affairs, Austin Bury, at [email protected].
REP. GAETZ TEAMS UP WITH AOC TO BAN CONGRESSIONAL STOCK TRADING!
Click Here To Watch!
Last Tuesday, I joined Jesse Waters on Primetime to discuss Members of Congress using their elected position to profit off of the backs of the American people. Congressional stock trading has all the fairness of a Lia Thomas swimming competition. For this reason, I co-sponsored the Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act to prohibit insider trading by members of Congress, their spouses, and any dependents.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), is also cosponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08). I will work with any one of my colleagues to ensure Congress is not compromised. It's our duty to represent our communities, not hedge bets on the stock market.
CONGRESSMAN GAETZ AND SENATOR MULLIN INTRODUCE STAND YOUR GROUND ACT
Last Thursday, I was proud to introduce the National Stand Your Ground Act of 2023 alongside U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK). Every American has the right to defend themself and their loved ones from an attacker. If someone tries to kill you, you should have the right to return fire and preserve your life. This bill would codify Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law at the federal level, removing the duty to retreat when attacked. It's time to reaffirm in law what exists in the Constitution and in the hearts of Americans by abolishing the legal duty to retreat everywhere.
Click HERE to read more about the Stand Your Ground Act.
FIREBRAND EP. 103: DESANTIS AND DISNEY
Click Here To Watch!
I hosted an episode of Firebrand last Tuesday where I called into question the motives of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his dispute with Disney. DeSantis and the Disney Corporation are currently locked in a professional wrestling match after Disney sued him for passing legislation that forbids the teaching of "woke" ideology in public schools. While DeSantis has launched a campaign against crony capitalists, it's important to note that Disney continues to receive special treatment in the form of tax breaks and last-minute legislative exemptions, authorized by no other than — Ron DeSantis. I wonder if his criticisms of Disney are genuine attempts to combat corporate welfare or if they are part of his strategy to virtue signal his way into the hearts and minds of the American people.
FIREBRAND EP. 102: UKRAINE AUDITS
Click Here To Watch!
On last Friday's episode of Firebrand, I covered a range of important issues, discussing my Ukraine resolution of inquiry, highlights from a House debate on legislative action to overturn President Biden's suspension of tariffs on Chinese-manufactured solar panels, and covered a medley of suggested topics from our live audience!
One of the most significant topics I covered was my resolution of inquiry regarding Ukraine. This resolution recently passed the Foreign Affairs Committee, and it calls for the Secretary of Defense to hand over to the House any documents related to the Biden Administration's plans for military assistance to Ukraine and whether U.S. troops are currently deployed in Ukraine. I firmly believe the public has a right to know the truth about U.S. military aid and whether it's ultimately in the best interest of the American people.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Fox News — May 4, 2023
Rep. Gaetz, Sen. Mullin introduce national ‘Stand Your Ground’ bills: ‘Legal duty to retreat’ helps attacker
"'And as I’ve gotten to Congress, I don’t believe that the legal duty to retreat as an American ought to be different in Florida and Connecticut and Massachusetts and California,' he continued. 'I think we ought to have a national reckoning on the duty to retreat, and we ought to extinguish it,' Gaetz added."
Bloomberg — May 4, 2023
Republican Lawmakers Call for Tech Lobby Be Blocked From Indo-Pacific Trade Input
"'The administration must ensure that it does not propose or adopt text in IPEF that binds the United States to competition policies that Congress may soon reject,' they wrote in the letter, which was reviewed by Bloomberg News. Representatives Ken Buck of Colorado and Matt Gaetz of Florida also signed on."
Biz Pac Review — May 3, 2023
AOC, Matt Gaetz join forces on bill banning lawmaker stock trading that includes a ‘Pelosi Provision’
"'About one in every four members of Congress is doing this, and it’s not exactly like I’m elected with a bunch of Gordon Gekkos and Bobby Axelrods,' he said. 'Take Lois Frankel, who you just mentioned. She’s been a lawmaker since I was five years old, and I’m supposed to believe that all of a sudden she’s making moves like she’s Warren Buffett? This congressional stock trading has all of the fairness of like a Lia Thomas swimming competition and I think we should put an end to it.'"
The Daily Wire — April 29, 2023
Future Of Controversial Surveillance Program In Question As Lawmakers Probe FBI Over Abuses
"'If I represent to you that we believe there may be north of 10,000 people in the federal government who can perform [FISA] queries, would anyone here have a basis to disagree with that?' Gaetz asked. The panelists all said no."
WHAT WE'RE READING
Fox News — May 4, 2023
Space Force commander fired for criticizing CRT rips Navy's turn to drag queens for recruitment
Bloomberg — May 3, 2023
China Sends Drones Circling Taiwan in New Surveillance Tactic
Daily Caller — May 4, 2023
Soros-Backed DA Allowed A Repeat Offender To Walk Free. Now She’s Charged With Murder
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