Hello, Friends —
This week, House Republicans continued our work to elect a new Speaker of the House. Last Friday, we nominated Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan as our candidate for the position. I was pleased to vote three times on the House floor for Jim Jordan, a trusted conservative who I believe would have kept the House transparent and accountable to the American people.
Unsurprisingly, from the moment Chairman Jordan was nominated, the Swamp had its knives out for him because of the threat he posed to status-quo, special-interest governing. Unfortunately, the corruption in Washington, D.C., runs deep, and today, Chairman Jordan lost a secret vote to remain the Speaker nominee in a closed-door meeting in the basement of the Capitol.
We will see which Republicans now put their names forward to run for Speaker, but one thing I will not support is a "Speaker light." Earlier this week, there was a proposal floated to vote to empower Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, who is presiding over the House during the Speaker vacancy, with the full authorities of the Speaker position for a period of time. To do so would be twisting and torturing the Constitution. A temporary Speaker is not constitutionally contemplated and deeply misinformed, and I will do everything possible to stop it from happening.
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REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED TO OUST MCCARTHY ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT RETRIBUTION
Prior to Jim Jordan's exit from the Speaker's race, I, along with Reps. Andy Biggs, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Bob Good, Nancy Mace, and Matt Rosendale, sent a letter to the House GOP Conference stating that we were willing to accept "censure, suspension, or removal from the Conference" if it would help the 25 holdouts to vote to elect him.
The actions we took to vacate Speaker McCarthy were never about us — they were to change Washington for the better. The House needs a Speaker, and I look forward to electing a new, more conservative, and more trustworthy one.
Full text of the letter can be found here.
PRESIDENT TRUMP APPLAUDS OUSTING OF HOUSE SPEAKER
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Last Thursday, President Donald J. Trump joined "The Brian Kilmeade Show," where he applauded the brave conservatives who chose to oust the former Speaker. When asked if I had potentially damaged the Republican Party by leading the charge against Rep. McCarthy, President Trump said, "maybe we'll end up with one of the great Speakers of all time, in which case, Matt Gaetz did a tremendous favor."
REP. GAETZ PROBES EPA CLASSIFYING BERKEY WATER FILTERS AS PESTICIDES
On Monday, I sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan regarding the agency's new ruling classifying the gravity-fed mechanical water filters sold by Berkey Water Systems as pesticides.
Without any administrative process, the EPA used its regulatory authority to classify Berkey's gravity-fed mechanical water filters as pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) due to its incorporation of silver, which is an unprecedented attempt to put Berkey out of business. Under the new classification, Berkey will now be forced to label its products with aggressive warnings. Accordingly, I'm requesting specific documents the EPA used to determine its actions be provided to my office.
Full text of my letter to EPA Administrator Regan can be found here.
FIREBRAND EP. 121: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE EAST? FEAT. CURT MILLS
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On Monday, I was joined by Curt Mills, contributing editor for The American Conservative, to discuss what the future of Israel holds as its war with Hamas intensifies — PLUS breaking news on the House Speakership race, President Trump's legal battles, and more!
THIS WEEK'S MEDIA WRAP-UP
Congressman Gaetz joins "Greg Kelly Reports" on Newsmax
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Congressman Gaetz appears on Newsmax's "Sunday Agenda"
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Congressman Gaetz joins "Smerconish" on CNN
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AROUND THE DISTRICT
U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES WORLDWIDE TRAVEL CAUTION
Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. U.S. citizens should:
- Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
TEAM GAETZ STANDS IN SUPPORT WITH NORTHWEST FLORIDA'S JEWISH COMMUNITY
Last Sunday, my staff was honored to join Rabbi Tenenboim with the Chabad of the Emerald Coast and members of the Jewish community to observe an evening of prayer and solidarity with Israel. They participated in psalms, prayers, and songs, specifically for those in captivity, members of the Israeli Defense Forces, and those lost from the attacks by Hamas. We stand strong with Israel and reinforce their right to defend themselves and their homeland.
THE 2023 CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE HAS BEGUN!
The Congressional App Challenge is a public effort to encourage kids to learn how to code. Students compete to code original applications for the chance to be selected for recognition, win prizes, and have their work put on display in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Official registration for the 2023 Congressional App Challenge is now open! Students can register for the 2023 Congressional App Challenge and start coding their apps for 2023 using the link below. The competition deadline is November 1st, 2023.
Click here to register for the Congressional App Challenge!
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
The Daily Caller — October 19, 2023
EXCLUSIVE: Republicans Voting Against Jordan Are Doing It To 'Spite Matt Gaetz,' Members Say
"Meanwhile, Gaetz told the Caller that the only thing the 22 Republicans voting against Jordan are doing is hurting their voters. 'The only people being punished are their constituents. Republican voters across the country are united behind Jim Jordan,' Gaetz told the Caller. Ohio Republican Rep. Warren Davidson told the Caller that electing Jordan for Speaker would not be rewarding the eight people who voted to remove McCarthy from the Speakership and that it would be a win for Americans. 'The motion to vacate undoubtedly caused internal pain, yet this is not a reason to block the person who can lead our conference. Electing Jim Jordan as Speaker is not rewarding the eight, it's a win for the American people and the Republican agenda,' Davidson said."
The Washington Examiner — October 16, 2023
Gaetz presses EPA on regulating water filters as 'pesticides'
"'At a time when Americans are increasingly unhealthy and their water filled with contaminants, such as endocrine disrupters, heavy metals, and "forever" chemicals, such as PFAS, the EPA should be pursuing policies within its regulatory authority that incentivize increased use of water-filtration systems, not less,' the Gaetz letter to Administrator Michael Regan states. The move by the EPA would force Berkey and millions of other water filters to put "aggressive warning signs" on their products that would give the appearance that it is a hazardous material."
The Daily Caller — October 19, 2023
'I'm Against Bud Light': Gaetz Slams 'Speaker-Light' Strategy Of Empowering McHenry
"'I'm against Speaker-light. I'm against Bud Light. I believe it is a constitutional desecration to not elect a Speaker of the House,' Gaetz told a reporter in the halls of Congress on Thursday. 'We need to stay here until we elect a speaker, and if someone can’t get the votes, we need to move on to the next person. But, twisting and torturing the constitution to empower a temporary speaker is having a speaker-light. That is not constitutionally contemplated, it is deeply infirm and I will do everything possible to stop it.'"
Headline USA — October 17, 2023
Not Even Arab Countries Want Palestinian Refugees
"'Middle Eastern countries should take Gaza refugees. Not the United States,' remarked Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., on Oct. 14 via Twitter."
The Tampa Bay Times — October 17, 2023
Matt Gaetz, now a well-known disrupter, honed his brash style in Florida
"'I'm not afraid to stand up to lobbyists and special interests — and I never will be,' he said. 'If that means I face tough battles, jeers and boos, so be it. That means I’m doing my job.'"
WHAT WE'RE READING
Revolver News — October 16, 2023
Top Biden Intel Official Outed as Palestinian Activist Has Some Very Dark Associates
Breitbart — October 16, 2023
Texas Man Gets 4 Years in Prison for Packing Migrants Inside Jet Skis near Border
Fox News — October 16, 2023
Biden is our $6 billion Mideast disaster thanks to his support of Iran
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