Hello, Friends —

As Memorial Day approaches, it's important we remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Memorial Day is a time to remember all those who have died while serving our country and we must not forget the brave Americans from Northwest Florida who fought and died in battle. Words cannot describe their devotion, the purity of their love, or the totality of their courage. We know we can never repay our debt to these fallen heroes — as that debt is infinite. But this Memorial Day, and every day, let us honor these selfless heroes and pray for the ones they left behind.

This week, I continued my oversight into the "woke" programs at the Department of Defense (DoD). I sent a letter to DoD Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley regarding past and upcoming drag shows on military installations. The DoD's persistent use of taxpayer funding for drag events is a slap in the face of the American taxpayer. What's even worse is that the events have no minimum age requirement. That’s right — our military leadership's latest assault is on our children, and I refuse to remain silent. The United States deserves the best equipped and effective fighting force in the world, not a "woke army" that hosts gender-dysphoric circuses for kids on military bases.

CONGRESSMAN GAETZ DEMANDS ANSWERS ON MILITARY DRAG SHOWS

Earlier this year, I asked Secretary of Defense (SecDef) Lloyd Austin about drag queen events being held on military installations during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. SecDef Austin offered me this response: "Drag shows are not something the Department of Defense supports or funds." Our own Secretary of Defense chose to conceal the fact that drag events funded by the Department of Defense have not only been held on military bases but have been promoted for children to attend. During the same exchange, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley admitted he was "unaware" these events were occurring on installations but committed to ending drag queen event on military installations altogether.

Now, months later, our military is still holding taxpayer-funded drag events that now have no minimum age requirement. I refuse to stay silent during this all-out attack on children. That's why on Tuesday, I sent a letter to SecDef Austin and General Milley demanding answers on past and upcoming drag shows on military installations. DoD resources should be used for mission-essential operations, not diverted toward "woke" initiatives that create cultural fissures within our service ranks.

Click HERE to read more about my letter.

REP. GAETZ INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PREVENT CAMPAIGN FRAUD

On Wednesday, I introduced legislation aimed at preventing fraudulent campaign donations. The "Put Zombie Donors to Rest Act" would amend the Internal Revenue Code by requiring a billing address and credit verification value (CVV) for contributions to political organizations.

Unidentified entities or individuals are using the identities of Americans, who are often senior citizens, to perpetrate fraudulent campaign contributions. Termed as "zombie donors," these fraudulent transactions by exploit payment methods that possess scant or negligible identity authentication mechanisms. I'm proud to introduce this bill to help ensure political campaigns can no longer use vulnerable Americans as vehicles to perpetrate fraudulent campaign contributions.

Click HERE to read O'Keefe Media's report on this fraud.

REP. GAETZ HOLDS TELE-TOWNHALL WITH NORTHWEST FLORIDIANS!

Click Here To Watch!

On Thursday night, I held tele-townhall, which exceeded all expectations. With over 3000 constituents from across Northwest Florida calling in, the call proved to be an engaging platform for open dialogue with members of our community.

During the townhall, I listened to callers, addressing a wide range of topics that affect our community, such as issues with the ATF, Eglin Air Force Base, the debt ceiling, and more. I will remain committed to fostering meaningful conversations and keeping the lines of communication open with all Northwest Floridians. It is through these efforts that our democracy thrives, and we plan to do future calls that will continue to bring our community together.

REP. GAETZ: FBI OFFICIALS TOOK CASH PAYMENTS TO TARGET AMERICANS

Click Here To Watch!

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to appear on "The Balance with Eric Bolling" on Newsmax. We dove into the crucial testimonies shared by whistleblowers regarding the deeply concerning issue of corruption within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Joe Biden has allowed yet another federal agency to fall into the grips of corruption, and now regular Americans are suffering. Despite repeated attempts to bring about meaningful reform to the FBI, these efforts have consistently been met with resistance and obstruction. It remains up to Congress to defund and defang Joe Biden’s weaponized federal law enforcement agency.

FIREBRAND EP. 108: LYING LLOYD AUSTIN

Click Here To Watch!

On last Friday's episode of Firebrand, I blasted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for lying about the existence of drag queen shows on military bases, gave an update on where the debt ceiling negotiations currently stand, and reacted to some breaking news on the FBI abusing its power.

REP GAETZ GOES ON NEWSMAX'S "THE RIGHT SQUAD"

Click Here To Watch!

On Monday, I joined "The Right Squad" on Newsmax to discuss the growing field of GOP 2024 presidential primary candidates, the state of Joe Biden's cognitive health going into his re-election bid, states banning sex changes for children, the border crisis, the vilification of Daniel Penny, and more!

AROUND THE DISTRICT

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM REP. GAETZ

I am excited to announce I will be holding a legislative update on Friday, June 9th! This event, which is a part of Open Gaetz Day, will be a special chance for me to inform residents of Northwest Florida directly about the House of Representatives' most recent legislation and public policy that impact our community and beyond.

The legislative update will be hosted at 3898 Highway 4, Jay, FL, beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT.

I encourage everyone to attend this event to learn more about my ongoing fight in Congress. I look forward to seeing all of you!

RSVP today at: GaetzLegUpdate.Eventbrite.com

For any questions you may have, please contact Deputy District Director Jenna Hasz at [email protected] or call my District Office at 850.479.1183.

TEAM GAETZ ATTENDS 6^TH RANGER TRAINING BATTALION CHANGE OF COMMAND

This Thursday, my District Director and Director of Military Affairs were proud to attend the 6^th Ranger Training Battalion Change of Command at Camp Rudder on Eglin Air Force Base. I’d like to thank and congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Richard Jones for preparing our nation’s Rangers over the past two years. A big welcome and best of luck to LTC Russell Mitscherling as he takes charge. Rangers Lead the Way!

IMPORTANT PASSPORT ANNOUNCEMENT

Earlier this week, my team attended a Department of State (DoS) Passport Briefing. The DoS has been experiencing record weekly volume (500,000 applications/week) since April. Given the influx of applications, the processing times have not changed since March. Please see the following expected processing times immediately below:

Routine Passport Service: 10-13 weeks

Expedited Passport Service: 7-9 weeks

The Department of State advises constituents that have a passport that is expired or is expiring within one year to renew their passports even if they do not have travel planned. My team will continue to fervently work to provide Northwest Floridians with a pleasant and timely passport experience.

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

The Daily Caller — May 24, 2023

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Gaetz Introduces Legislation To Prevent Campaign Donation Fraud

"'Through the diligent efforts of citizen journalists, O’Keefe Media Group has uncovered potentially millions of dollars in campaign donation fraud. Unidentified entities or individuals are using the identities of American citizens to perpetrate fraudulent campaign contributions. Termed as ‘zombie donors,’ these fraudulent transactions exploit payment methods that possess scant or negligible identity authentication mechanisms,’ Gaetz told the Caller before introducing the bill."

Breitbart — May 23, 2023

Republicans Demand Transparency from Treasury on Default Day Projection

"'I don’t believe June 1^st is the real deadline for default. Why aren’t we making Secretary Yellen show her work before Congress?’ said Rep. Matt Gaetz."

The Hill — May 24, 2023

Gaetz says most in GOP ‘don’t feel like we should negotiate with our hostage'

"'My conservative colleagues for the most part support, ‘Limit, Save, Grow,’ and they don’t feel like we should negotiate with our hostage,’ Gaetz told Semafor on Tuesday, doubling down on his support for the House-passed GOP bill that would cut spending by an average of 18 percent in exchange for raising the debt ceiling."

Breitbart — May 23, 2023

Exclusive: Gaetz Asks Austin and Milley Why Drag Queen Shows are Still Happening on Military Bases

"He added: You both testified before the House Armed Service Committee stating: 'drag shows and drag events are not something the DoD supports or fund' and 'I'd like to take a look at that material … I don't agree with that, these things shouldn't be happening.' Given those statements, has this drag event scheduled for June 1, 2023, on Nellis Air Force Base been reviewed and approved by either of you?' he asked."