7th GROUP
Last weekend we received news that an Afghan commando opened fire on American soldiers during a joint operation in eastern Afghanistan. The shock attack took the life of two Northwest Florida heroes, Staff Sgt. First Class Javier Jaguar Gutierrez and Staff Sgt. First Class Antonio Rey Rodriguez. Six others were wounded. All were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
This week, I traveled to Dover Air Force Base with President Trump and Vice President Pence to attend the dignified transfer of these heroes back to American soil. These heroes will never be forgotten. We continue to pray for the Northwest Floridians who are defending our freedom, and we will always pray for their safe return home.
AINSWORTH ACT
Recently, I introduced the “Ainsworth Act,” which would allow centenarian veterans to qualify for full pension benefits from the VA, regardless of net worth. Veterans are the heartbeat of Northwest Florida, and treasures to our country.
Currently, veterans over the age of 99 are disqualified from accessing pension benefits if they exceed a certain net worth requirement. This has put many families in our district and nationwide in a tough situation. No veteran should have to choose between serving their country and paying their medical bills.
It is my hope that our heroes like First Lieutenant Joseph Ainsworth’s situation will be eradicated for future centenarian military veterans, and that his service to our country will be immortalized through the Ainsworth Act.
This week, WEAR ran a piece on pension benefits for veterans, which you can watch here:
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AFTER Act
For years, tens of thousands of animals have been euthanized after federal lab testing. This is wasteful, both in terms of cost, and in terms of life. Ending “automatic euthanasia” would save thousands of innocent animals’ lives. I am a proud co-sponsor of the AFTER Act, bipartisan legislation requiring federal agencies that use animals in research to offer them for adoption or to animal sanctuaries once research is concluded, instead of ending their lives.
There are many issues that divide Washington — but legislation like the AFTER Act is supported by people on all sides of the political spectrum. I hope the House will pass it quickly.
It is good to see that agencies and departments are making strides to protect animals of their own volition. The FDA announced recently that it would allow animals used in experiments to be adopted — this is a huge step forward!
See also:
The Hill — February 7, 2020
New FDA policy allows lab animals to be adopted after experiments
OPEN GAETZ DAY
Since I was first elected to Congress, I have believed in fighting the Washington establishment and restoring America. The past few years have been tremendous, and the United States is stronger than ever before. But there is still much more work to be done.
If we want to take on “the swamp,” we need to do it together. Please join me for the first Open Gaetz Day of the new decade! I look forward to our community coming together to strategize about how to reform Washington, improve Congress, and make life better for all Americans.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact my Pensacola office. I look forward to meeting with you all!
To register for tickets to our Perdido Key event, click here. Click here for tickets to the Laurel Hill event.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Roll Call — February 13, 2020
Young Republicans push party to act on climate change
“‘I don’t believe that it’s wise for Republicans to surrender all of the ground to the Democrats on potential solutions,’ Rep Matt Gaetz told CQ Roll Call.”
Breitbart News — February 12, 2020
‘We’re Witnessing a Hostile Takeover by the Venezuelan Wing of the Democratic Party’
“‘Bernie is the spiritual leader of the Democratic Party, and he’s not even a Democrat,’ Gaetz added.”
Daily Wire — February 11, 2020
Trump Flies Unannounced To Dover AFB After N.H. Rally To Pay Respects To Two Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan
“Also attending the ceremony were people traveling with the president, including daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.”
WEAR TV — February 9, 2020
Meet the Pensacola veteran who inspired Congressman Gaetz’s new legislation
“For the past several months, Steve and Joseph Ainsworth have been working with Congressman Matt Gaetz’s office to create legislation to help older veterans financially.”
WHAT WE’RE READING
PJ Media — December 11, 2019
These Reporters All Lied About the Steele Dossier, Carter Page, and FISA Warrants
Red State — February 10, 2020
Big Tech Monitors and Pulls ‘Fake News’ — So They Don’t Need Section 230
National Review — February 14, 2020
School Choice and Greater Transparency Can Save Us from Woke Classrooms
Washington Examiner — February 14, 2020
USMCA ratification delayed in Canada
Wall Street Journal — February 13, 2020
China’s Huawei Charged With Racketeering, Stealing Trade Secrets
New York Times — February 14, 2020
Who’s Profiting From Your Outrageous Medical Bills?
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