Hello, Friends —
This week in the House was marked by the passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an essential bill that will provide Northwest Florida's Military Mission with up to $120 million in funding. Congress is duty-bound by the Constitution to ensure the brave men and women who volunteer to defend our country have everything they need to be the most lethal fighting force in the history of the world. To that end, I'm also pleased to announce that House Republicans were successful in refocusing the military on its mission by eliminating DEI initiatives within our Armed Forces. I applaud the House's passage of this year's NDAA, which further solidifies Northwest Florida's critical role in our country's national security and stops the "wokeification" of our military. The NDAA now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Furthermore, I used my time during Wednesday's House Judiciary Committee hearing on the "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)" to question FBI Director Christopher Wray on a multitude of egregious acts committed by the bureau, including mass abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and lack of investigating the Biden family. Under Wray's watch, the American taxpayer has been force to fund never-ending malfeasance.
I also reminded Director Wray of the American peoples' lowest confidence level in the bureau in FBI history. No longer is the FBI revered as the pinnacle of law enforcement. Instead, the American people have grown weary of the agency, whose mission statement is "to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States." The FBI has become totally untethered from the Constitution, and we must bring it to heel.
CONGRESSMAN GAETZ APPLAUDS FINAL HOUSE PASSAGE OF FY 2024 NDAA
Today, I proudly exercised the voice of Northwest Florida and voted YES on the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a pivotal piece of legislation that exemplifies our commitment to bolstering national security. As a member of Congress and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), I firmly believe we have a constitutional duty to equip the brave men and women who selflessly volunteer to protect our nation in the Armed Forces. By allocating resources and provisions that our service members require, this comprehensive legislation enables them to be the most formidable fighting force that has ever existed.
In addition to fortifying our national defense, this legislation also strengthens Northwest Florida's strategic significance. The NDAA reinforces our pivotal role by fostering the growth and development of defense-related entities in our district by providing $100 million for Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field to build a new Advanced Helicopter Training System Hangar. The inclusion of this provision will improve NAS Whiting Field's capacity to develop and train Northwest Florida's upcoming generation of young Naval aviators.
Furthermore, my amendments added during the HASC markup to stop woke ideology within our Armed Forces remain in the House-passed NDAA. These amendments eliminate the position of chief diversity officer at the Department of Defense (DoD), prohibit DoD funds from being spent for drag shows or drag queen story hours, and require the DoD to submit a report to Congress on the costs of providing critical race theory training (CRT). I take great pride in my commitment to halt the woke indoctrination of our esteemed service members.
As we move forward, I remain dedicated to advocating for the welfare and interests of our nation's service men and women, so many of whom reside in our community. By supporting vital legislation like this year's NDAA, Congress reinforces our commitment to building a stronger and more secure nation. Together, we will continue to shape a future where America's defense remains unrivaled, and our cherished values endure for generations to come.
Click here to read my statement.
REP. GAETZ SLAMS FBI DIRECTOR WRAY
Click Here To Watch!
On Wednesday, I questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray before the House Judiciary Committee on the total incompetence, corruption, and abuse of power by the bureau, which has happened under his "leadership."
I began Wednesday's hearing by reading Director Wray the now infamous "shake-down" WhatsApp message sent by Hunter Biden to Henry Zhao, a Chinese businessman, who is believed to be connected with the Chinese Communist Party. "I'm sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment has not been fulfilled. You will regret not following my direction. I am waiting for the call with my father," Hunter wrote. Director Wray refused to comment on the text, and all of America knows why: Director Wray's FBI is protecting the Biden Crime Family.
I then questioned Wray on the unconstitutional actions of the FBI, slamming him over Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) abuses. The FBI reportedly used Section 702 of FISA to run hundreds of thousands of warrantless queries on American citizens. Unsurprisingly, Wray insisted that he didn’t know the number of illegal queries. It's unacceptable that the Director of the FBI can sit before Congress and be unaware of the FBI’s breaking of the law.
Director Wray concluded by boasting about the recent increase in FBI applicants who hail from the State of Florida. I fired back that I'm deeply proud of my fellow Floridians, and they deserve better than him as the FBI Director.
To read more about the hearing, click here.
REP. GAETZ LEADS CHARGE TO END ILLEGAL FISA SURVEILLANCE
On Tuesday, I introduced a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the authorities under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) should be allowed to expire at the end of the year. Section 702 of FISA has permitted the warrantless surveillance of Americans since being enacted in 2008 — and it's up to Congress to put it to an end.
According to an unsealed FISA Court decision, the FBI has routinely abused Section 702, including more than 278,000 times, surveilling left-wing domestic groups, such as Black Lives Matter and George Floyd rioters, Americans present at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, and donors to congressional campaigns. The persistent abuse of Section 702 of FISA underscores the disturbing trend of our federal government being weaponized against its people. By letting Section 702 expire, genuine law enforcement and foreign surveillance can still be carried out under traditional FISA and federal wiretap laws without sacrificing the constitutional rights of our fellow Americans.
To read more about my resolution, click here.
REP. GAETZ: WRAY SHOULD FACE CRIMINAL REFERRAL
Click Here To Watch!
On Wednesday night, Congressman Jim Jordan and I joined "Hannity" on Fox News to discuss our questioning of FBI Director Christopher Wray before the House Judiciary Committee. Director Wray appeared before the committee with no plan to answer the questions Americans need answers to. No doubt, Director Wray should be criminally charged for lying to Congress.
I also reacted to the hearing on The Charlie Kirk Show, Rob Schmitt Tonight, and The National Desk!
REP. GAETZ APPLAUDS JUDGE'S RULING BLOCKING BIDEN ADMIN FROM COLLUDING WITH BIG TECH!
On Tuesday of last week, U.S. Federal District Court Judge Terry A. Doughty issued a preliminary injunction in the Missouri v. Biden case, blocking numerous federal agencies in the Biden administration from colluding with Big Tech to censor Americans.
Under the Trump administration, numerous left-wing federal judges issued nationwide injunctions blocking lawful activities to remove illegal aliens from our country. Unlike those decisions, Judge Doughty's ruling limits itself to prohibiting the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; the Department of Homeland Security' the Department of State; and numerous named bad employees from engaging with Big Tech for the purpose of violating our constitutional rights.
While I applaud Judge Doughty's ruling, the practical effects of it will likely be minimal. But his decision is a shot across the bow of the Biden administration's censorship industrial complex. Unlike the left-wing decisions that crippled early Trump administration efforts to enforce our nation's immigration laws, Judge Doughty's decision is careful to note that the federal government is not blocked from speaking with Big Tech about ongoing criminal or national security matters. The decision is carefully reasoned and fair.
To read more about the ruling, click here.
CONGRESSMAN GAETZ VISITS THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
On Monday, with utmost reverence and unwavering sense of patriotism, my staff and I were given the opportunity to witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The ceremony was a powerful moment that served as a beacon of honor and glory for all of our soldiers, past and present.
In this hallowed ground, where our nation's heroes rest eternally, we paid homage to the countless brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our cherished freedoms. Words cannot adequately convey the profound honor and privilege Ginger and I felt as we placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. May their memory forever inspire our commitment to our great nation.
FIREBRAND EP. 110: DON'T HAITI MY FLORIDA
Click Here To Watch!
On Monday's episode of Firebrand, I discussed the rising influx of illegal Haitian immigrants devastating South Florida, news that the U.S. is now sending cluster bombs to Ukraine, Joe Biden's relationship with Xi Jinping, and more!
So far in 2023, the number of Haitian migrants who have attempted to cross into Florida illegally has already climbed to over 9,000. It is undeniable that the State of Florida is under attack. Given that illegal Haitian immigrants have an incarceration rate of 4.4 percent — which is higher than any other group of illegal immigrants — it's not surprising that communities in South Florida are being overrun with violent crime. Although I wish the corruption and violence in Haiti didn't exist, I will not allow it to overpour into the great State of Florida.
To read more about the Forgotten Invasion, click here.
FIREBRAND EP. 111: ATF UNDER FIRE
Click Here To Watch!
On Tuesday's episode of Firebrand, I recapped the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Accountability Field Hearing that I hosted in Florida's First Congressional District, reflected on my recent trip to Arlington National Cemetery, and more!
Joe Biden's ATF has been weaponized to ruin the lives of the American people. Every day, countless Northwest Floridians — including many veterans — exercise their Second Amendment right by relying on stabilizing braces or utilizing their Federal Firearms License to legally sell firearms. Yet through the Biden Regime's anti-Second Amendment policies, the ATF is attempting to circumvent Congress' sole legislative authority and turn law-abiding gun owners and sellers into criminals.
FIREBRAND EP. 112: WRAY GOES AWRY
Click Here To Watch!
On Wednesday's episode of Firebrand, I played highlights from the latest House Judiciary Committee hearing, where FBI Director Christopher Wray was forced to answer for the rampant corruption that has occurred at the bureau.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
TEAM GAETZ VISITS PENSACOLA VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
On Monday, my staff took part in a tour of the Veterans Administration's Pensacola Joint Ambulatory Care Center. The tour and discussions were led by Eddie Anjos, Associate Director for Outpatient Operations, and Deatosha Haynes, Associate Director for Patient Care Services.
The care center's leaders shared numerous changes it has undergone in the last eight months to improve service to the veterans of Northwest Florida. Mr. Anjos and Ms. Haynes also shared several plans for the near future, which included increased cooperation with the Pensacola Naval Hospital and the establishment of clinics in Milton and Crestview. I'd like to thank every staff member at the Veterans Administration's Pensacola Joint Ambulatory Care Center for their hard and honorable work to provide assistance to our district's veterans.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA WELCOMES CENTRAL MALONEY INCORPORATED!
On Thursday, my staff was excited to help welcome Central Moloney, Inc., and it's President, Chris Hart, to Okaloosa County on Thursday afternoon. They will be building a 302,000-square-foot facility on 48 acres at the Shoal River Ranch Gigasite. Their new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will specialize in producing pad-mounted electrical transformers. Most importantly, I'm proud to announce they will provide 350 high-paying jobs to Northwest Floridians.
IMPORTANT INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT
My office in Washington, D.C., is seeking full-time interns for the fall semester! Internships on Capitol Hill provide valuable professional experience and priceless memories!
The ideal candidate is driven, team-oriented, and able to deliver on short-term deadlines at the request of their supervisor. This position requires applicants who can manage simultaneous assignments, possess strong organizational skills, and maintain a professional attitude at all times in the office. Florida ties are a plus but not required.
To apply, send your resume and cover letter to: [email protected]
I look forward to hearing from you!
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Fox News — July 12, 2023
Gaetz says Floridians 'deserve better' after Wray boasts about state's FBI recruitment
"Wray then argued that people in Gaetz's home state of Florida are flocking to the FBI. 'Respectfully, Congressman, in your home state of Florida, the number of people applying to come work for us and devote their lives working for us is up over 100%, Wray said. 'We're deeply proud of them, and they deserve better than you,' Gaetz shot back."
Newsmax — July 12, 2023
Matt Gaetz to Newsmax: Biden 'Sleepwalking Us Into WWIII'
"'The $115 billion we sent Ukraine is not enough. Now they're talking about giving Ukraine Israel-like security status, so that we have to pay to be the block captain of Ukraine forever,' Gaetz said."
Fox News — July 11, 2023
Matt Gaetz leads charge to let FISA expire, end illegal surveillance of US citizens
"'I'm hoping that cleaning out these abuses won't just be a call to the political right, but that folks on the left will see the danger in this type of abuse of power,' Gaetz added."
Daily Caller — July 13, 2023
REP. MATT GAETZ: Don't Haiti My Florida
"We are not Haiti. The United States has the capability to solve this migrant crisis. We must surge Department of Defense resources, including the Navy, to stop this invasion of Florida. Every illegal immigrant caught trying to come to America must be swiftly returned back to his nation. We also need internal enforcement. The illegal immigrants that came here can't stay. There will be no pathway to citizenship. They must go back."
WHAT WE'RE READING
Daily Caller — July 11, 2023
FBI Helped Censor Americans For Ukrainian Intel Agency Full Of Russian Spies, House Report Concludes
Washington Examiner — July 10, 2023
The Holman rule: The other way Republicans could punish Biden officials
Fox News — July 10, 2023
Obama-era emails reveal Hunter's extensive ties to nearly a dozen senior-level Biden admin aides
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