Hello, Friends —
During the first week of the House of Representatives' August recess, I was in Florida's First District fighting against yet another big-government proposal. I am taking a stand for the livelihoods of the small-business vendors of Crab Island and the safety of all those who enjoy the area. The National Park Service (NPS) is considering a plan to regulate vendors off of Crab Island and into the adjacent deeper waters with torrent currents. This would not only threaten the viability of the small businesses that currently operate on Crab Island but would also endanger the lives of Crab Island's visitors, many of whom are not aware of the grave risks posed by the surrounding waters. That is why I will be doing everything I can in Congress to stop NPS from imposing this ill-advised regulation.
Additionally, I led five lawmakers in introducing legislation to abolish the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for pushing radical leftist ideology instead of engaging in diplomacy and creating international relations consistent with American values. USAID does not serve a meaningful purpose. It is used as a slush fund for international "wokeism." Therefore, it is incumbent upon members of Congress to ensure American taxpayer dollars do not continue to be wasted on this agency.
A Heritage Foundation report from May 10, 2022, exposed USAID for using American taxpayer dollars to weaponize foreign-aid programs and export a radical social agenda around the world. USAID programs support gender equity, climate alarmism, and even abortion. My legislation would stop federal funds from going to the agency to carry out further any of the functions, duties, or responsibilities assigned or delegated to it. As the Biden administration continues to push a far-left political philosophy at home and abroad, I will continue to introduce legislation that puts America First.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
CONGRESSMAN GAETZ: DON'T LET BIDEN RUIN CRAB ISLAND!
Click Here To Watch!
On Thursday, I spoke with WEAR Channel 3 News to explain why I'm against a proposal by the National Park Service (NPS) to implement a federal regulation that would prohibit small-business vendors from operating on Crab Island in Destin, Florida.
I met with Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner to discuss NPS' proposed plan, which would drastically change the way the prized destination of Crab Island operates for locals and the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Moving vendors who sell water, food, sunblock, and souvenirs off of Crab Island to across the dangerous waters of the East Pass would interfere with the ability for swimmers, beachgoers, and watercraft operators to coexist safely. Requiring those enjoying Crab Island to make this treacherous trip in unpredictable currents to patronize vendors, would gravely endanger people's lives and negatively impact the island's small businesses. For this reason, I am working hard to make sure the federal government does not suffocate this gem and extinguish our way of life here on the Emerald Coast.
Cooper’s Snacks, LLC, sells ice cream and boiled peanuts on Crab Island. Luke Juliano has been running it for four years, and he is one of the small-business owners who would be harmed by NPS' plan.
Mr. Juliano has put himself and his brother through college through his hard-work and vision. Outstanding! If you see him out on the island, tell him Matt sent you!
TEAM GAETZ PRESENTS MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA SCHOLARSHIPS!
On Thursday evening, my Director of Military Affairs presented certificates on my behalf to the recipients of scholarships provided by the Pensacola Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. Congratulations to Joseph Grady Wright V, Matthew Wong, Emma Miller, Erin Ennis, and Miah Garcia on your accomplishments, and best of luck in your academics!
TEAM GAETZ ATTENDS LEONARDO HELICOPTERS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
Last Friday, my District Director and Director of Military Affairs proudly joined Santa Rosa County representatives, Space Florida, and Leonardo Helicopters for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Leonardo Helicopter Facility at Naval Air Station Whiting Field.
The project will allow for the housing and maintenance of the new TH-73A "Thrasher" training platform for our new generation of naval aviators. We applaud Leonardo's investment into our community and look forward to supporting the future of Northwest Florida's naval-aviation mission!
REP. GAETZ GIVES REPUBLICANS A PLAN TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH
Click Here To Watch!
On Wednesday, I joined "Carl Higbie Frontline" on Newsmax, where I laid out a plan for House Republicans to fight back against Special Counsel Jack Smith's political indictment of President Trump.
It is time for members of Congress to put their foot down in the midst of this political witch hunt. We must demand that Special Counsel Smith present himself before the House Judiciary Committee for a transcribed interview within the next 15 days. If he fails to appear, we should send him a subpoena. If he ignores the subpoena, Congress must hold him in criminal contempt of Congress so that he is the first prosecutor in American history to be prosecuting a case while himself under criminal contempt — and if Attorney General Merrick Garland doesn't enforce that criminal contempt, then we ought to impeach him!
IMPORTANT VETERANS AFFAIRS ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING PACT ACT
I want to take the time to remind all veterans of Northwest Florida to file your PACT Act claim — or quickly submit your intent to file — by August 9, 2023! Veterans have the potential to receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. I'm grateful for the tremendous sacrifice our veterans have made, and I will remain steadfast in my fight to ensure they receive the benefits they deserve.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
The Washington Times — August 1, 2023
Lawmakers accuse USAID of pushing left-wing agenda abroad, offer bill to defund the agency
"Mr. Gaetz said the agency had become an instrument for spending taxpayer dollars to spread 'radical leftist propaganda in foreign countries. The American people will not tolerate government-funded degeneracy at home, and we certainly will not accept its force-feeding abroad under Old Glory,' he said."
Fox News — August 2, 2023
Pentagon official who defended 'racist' author of anti-White tweets departs agency
"He also said – after the extended time of investigation – that he did not know what 'caudacity' meant, leading to the ire of Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. 'You took six months to investigate one tweet. You didn't even figure out what the words meant?' Gaetz asked.
Cisneros responded by denying his role in the investigation, despite repeated statements from the Pentagon that he was leading it."
The Washington Times — August 2, 2023
Gaetz, MTG reignite calls to defund special counsel Jack Smith following third Trump indictment
"Mr. Gaetz, Florida Republican, introduced his measure to defund Mr. Smith's office in July. He took to social media to again rally behind his legislation, which would halt any authorized federal spending from going to Mr. Smith's office. 'DEFUND JACK SMITH'S WITCH HUNT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP,' Mr. Gaetz wrote on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. Mr. Gaetz's measure is cosponsored by fellow Republican Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Matt Rosendale of Montana and Eric Burlison of Missouri."
The National Pulse — July 27, 2023
Matt Gaetz: End Anchor Babies & ‘Unqualified’ Birthright Citizenship.
"The bill argues the loophole has permitted 'an entire black market' of birth tourism, whereby an average of 33,000 women per year come to the United States in order to give birth and claim citizenship via their 'anchor babies.' Former President Donald Trump has also highlighted the misuse of the original legislation and has promised to address it upon his first day back in the White House. 'Birthright citizenship has been grossly misapplied for decades, recently becoming a loophole for illegal aliens to fraudulently abuse our immigration system,' said Gaetz, announcing the introduction of the legislation."
WHAT WE'RE READING
The Floridian — July 31, 2023
Unvaccinated Green Beret Pressured to Leave the Army
The Federalist — August 1, 2023
Evidence Of Biden Burisma Corruption Is Overwhelming
Breitbart — August 1, 2023
Exclusive: Inside Shadow Investigation to Silence Military Whistleblower for Biden Admin Criticism
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