Hello, Friends —
This week, the House of Representatives continued our work on single-subject spending bills. We debated and voted on more than 100 amendments to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. However, due to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's failure to bring appropriations bills to the floor, we unfortunately were back up against another spending deadline. The stop-gap spending bill passed in September to continue funding the government was set to expire at the end of today.
During his first three weeks as Speaker, Mike Johnson has striven to move the remaining single-subject spending bills through the House, but we were unsuccessful in passing them all by today. Therefore, the House took up and passed a second stop-gap spending bill. This time, the bill was structured in a "laddered" way, continuing funding for parts of the government through January 19, 2024, and the rest through February 2, 2024.
While I see value in the "laddered" approach of not funding every part of the government for the same amount of time with one vote, I could not support this bill. Ultimately, by not reducing spending even a little bit, the bill is a continuation of the Biden-Pelosi spending priorities contained in the massive spending bill that passed Congress at the end of last year. To effectively go up against the big spending agenda of the Democratic-controlled Senate, House Republicans must prioritize passing the remaining single-subject spending bills with meaningful spending cuts.
REP. GAETZ INTRODUCES THE "PARENTS' RIGHT TO KNOW ACT"
On Tuesday, I introduced the "Parents' Right to Know Act." This legislation, if enacted, would ensure parents have access to their children’s school medical and counseling records, except as prohibited by an active state protective order.
In April 2023, President Joe Biden's Department of Education issued guidance, to clarify that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act prohibits parental access to student health information in the absence of student written consent. The Department's guidance has become an issue for parents and guardians not being allowed access to what mental health professionals in schools are telling students.
The federal government should not be inhibiting parents' ability to see records that could affect their children's upbringing. My bill reinforces the right for parents to access medical and counseling records of their children, lifting the veil of secrecy in Biden’s Education Department. Parents don’t just have a "right" to know what's happening in their children's lives at school — they have a non-negotiable claim to it.
Full text of my bill can be found here.
REP. GAETZ JOINS CONGRESSWOMAN GREENE'S 'COVID VACCINE INJURY' FIELD HEARING
Click Here To Watch!
On Monday, I joined Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's field hearing on "Injuries Caused By The COVID Vaccine." During the hearing, I told the American people why the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives refuses to address the harm COVID-19 vaccines have caused — and why Senate and House committees refuse to hold proper hearings on the subject. If we follow the trail of money to both Senators' and Representatives' pockets, often it leads back to Big Pharma. Our elected officials often try to hide this conflict of interest and abandon their duty to tell the truth. Americans who were pressured by the federal government to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and subsequently injured by it, deserve better.
Thank you, Rep. Greene, for filling the leadership vacuum on the issue of COVID-19 vaccine injuries. Far too many members of Congress are bought and paid for by Big Pharma lobbyists, which prevents these issues from the oversight they deserve. It is indicative of how high the hill is for us to climb to get the truth out.
REP. GAETZ FILES ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST REP. MCCARTHY FOR ASSAULTING REP. TIM BURCHETT
On Tuesday, I filed a formal ethics complaint against Rep. Kevin McCarthy in response to him assaulting Rep. Tim Burchett in the halls of the Capitol complex.
In my complaint, I highlight Rep. McCarthy's clear breach of the binding Code of Official Conduct for Members by assaulting a House colleague following a Republican Conference meeting that happened earlier in the day. The assault, witnessed by numerous people, was described by Rep. Burchett as a "sucker punch" and a "clean shot to the kidney." Needless to say, this incident deserves immediate and swift investigation by the Ethics Committee.
This Congress has seen a substantial increase in breaches of decorum unlike anything we have seen since the pre-Civil War era. I myself have been a victim of outrageous conduct on the House floor as well, but nothing like an open and public assault on a Member, committed by another Member. While Rep. Burchett can himself decide whether to press charges, my complaint will force the House Ethics Committee to investigate the former Speaker’s behavior.
Full text of my formal ethics complaint against Rep. McCarthy can be found here. Additionally, exclusive coverage of the ethics complaint by CNN can be found here.
CONGRESSMAN GAETZ: "WE MUST REJECT PELOSI'S POLICIES AND BIDEN'S SPENDING
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On Monday, I appeared on Newsmax's "Eric Bolling The Balance" to discuss how when House conservatives attempt to close the southern border, hold Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas accountable, or reduce federal spending, our efforts are often thwarted by the D.C. Uniparty.
I think our new Speaker is righteous in seeking to have different agencies of government expire their funding at different times — but I am against continuing the policies of Pelosi and the spending of Biden. We must roll up our sleeves and deliver on the commitments we made to voters when they gave control of the House of Representatives to Republicans.
REP. GAETZ SLAMS FORMER SPEAKER MCCARTHY'S THERAPY SESSION ON CNN
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On Monday night, I joined "CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip" to discuss Speaker Johnson's strategy to tackle out-of-control government spending, Kevin McCarthy's therapy session with CNN on the motion to vacate, and the release of the January 6th tapes.
FIREBRAND EP. 130: CONGRESS BACKS FBI
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During last Thursday's episode of Firebrand, I reacted to 70 Republicans voting to reward the FBI with a new headquarters building, Floridians at a Trump rally savagely booing Rep. Carlos Gimenez in Miami, and former Speaker McCarthy seething about his ouster again on CNN.
FIREBRAND EP. 131: THE LADDER CR
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On Monday, I hosted an episode of Firebrand, where I discussed how the House planned to deal with the next government-funding deadline, responded to more hostile remarks from former Speaker McCarthy, reacted to a major court ruling against the ATF's pistol brace ban, and more!
FIREBRAND EP. 132: MCCARTHY SUCKER PUNCHES BURCHETT
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On Tuesday's episode of Firebrand, I reacted to a crazy day on Capitol Hill, where fights broke out between Kevin McCarthy and Tim Burchett, between James Comer and Jared Moskowitz, and between Senator Markwayne Mullin and a hearing witness, and more!
FIREBRAND EP. 133: DEI IN THE SKY FEATURING DR. DARREN BEATTIE
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On Wednesday's episode of Firebrand, I interviewed Dr. Darren J. Beattie of Revolver News about his latest investigative reporting into affirmative action-hiring policies that are putting airline passengers in danger. I also reacted to insane footage of a drunk Georgia lawmaker, UN-sponsored jihad taught in Palestinian schools, and more!
FIREBRAND EP. 134: THANKSGIVING INFLATION
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On Thursday's episode of Firebrand, I broke down the impacts of Bidenomics on Americans' Thanksgivings this year, read an outrageous glossary of DEI terms published by the National Security Agency, interviewed former Florida State Senator Jeff Brandes on his nonprofit work to help veterans, and more!
AROUND THE DISTRICT
IN MEMORY OF AIR FORCE CAPTAIN NICHOLAS "SMOG" BROWN
With a heavy heart, I share sorrowful news from Florida's First Congressional District. Tragically, U.S. Air Force Captain Nicholas “Smog” Brown passed away on November 11th as a result of injuries sustained during a free-dive incident near the East Destin Pass. Captain Brown was a F-35 Instructor Pilot for the 58th Fighter Squadron and a member of our Eglin Air Force Base family. He was also a devoted husband and father, and a beloved squadron mate. I send my sincerest condolences to the family of Captain Brown.
Captain Brown will be terribly missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with Captain Brown's family, and I encourage all of Northwest Florida to pray and support them during this difficult time.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLONEL SELECTED FOR FLORIDA VETERANS' HALL OF FAME
I'm extremely proud to announce that Dr. Benjamin Findley of Pensacola, who is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, was inducted into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame this week! The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame was established to recognize and honor our military veterans who, through their works and lives during or after military service, have made a significant contribution to the State of Florida.
Colonel Findley has brought great honor to Pensacola and Northwest Florida by living a life dedicated to service to veterans through numerous endeavors during active duty, reserve duty, and in his retirement. Colonel Findley was commissioned in 1969. In his 30 years of service, he supported war efforts during the Vietnam War and military education at multiple institutions of higher education, U.S. Special Operations Command, the USAF Special Operations School at Hurlburt Field, the US Air Force Academy Admissions Liaison team, Congressional Nomination selection teams, and as professor at multiple civilian institutions of higher learning. His extensive and continued service to veterans has been recognized once more through this deserved and highly distinguished award. Congratulations, Colonel Findley — Prosequor Alis!
TEAM GAETZ MEETS WITH DOD AND VA
Last week, my District team joined the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in a roundtable discussion regarding the VA and the newly formed partnership between the Departments for the use of Naval Hospital Pensacola for Joint DOD/VA treatment. The VA has announced this new partnership with the DOD to increase access to surgical care for approximately 37,000 Gulf Coast-area veterans. Our veterans will now be able to receive same-day outpatient surgical care at a new VA clinic in Naval Hospital Pensacola.
My staff was able to sit down with Dr. Elnahal, Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health; Dr. Repasky, Biloxi Medical Center Director, VA Gulf Coast; Dr. McDougall, VA Health Network Director; and their teams to discuss a variety of topics involving quality of care and treatment in Northwest Florida. I appreciate everyone who attended this useful and significant roundtable discussion!
2023 CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
The 2023 Congressional App Challenge Winner Announcement is TOMORROW, November 18th! 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.
The Congressional App Challenge Winner Announcement will be hosted at Northwest Florida State College Building 400 (100 College Blvd. East, Niceville, FL) and starts at 10 A.M. CDT!
To RSVP: Visit www.gaetz2023app.eventbrite.com
For additional questions, please call my District Office at (850) 479-1183.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
The Washington Examiner — November 15, 2023
Why the States Reform Act is right for America, research, and veterans by Rep. Matt Gaetz
"By the editorial board's own admission, "burdensome and complicated" regulatory regimes in states where marijuana is legal have allowed black markets to undercut the legal markets, increasing crime and decreasing revenues for state governments. But they mistakenly — or perhaps disingenuously — place the blame on legalization. The problem of black markets, and the crime created by them, is due to politicians over regulating and overtaxing the legal product. If states want to destroy black markets, legislators should simplify and reduce regulation and adjust tax rates so that prices in the private market are as competitive as possible. By doing so, states can weaken black markets, reducing the crime they create and, at the same time, bring more revenues into state coffers."
The Washington Examiner — November 14, 2023
Matt Gaetz sponsors bill to expand parental access to student health records
"'The federal government should not be inhibiting parents' ability to see records that could affect their children's upbringing,' Gaetz told the Washington Examiner in a statement. 'My bill reinforces the right for parents to access medical and counseling record[s] of their children, lifting the veil of secrecy in Biden's Education Department.'
The Biden administration's guidelines on FERPA, released in April, primarily reiterated long-standing FERPA policies that require students age 18 or older to provide written consent for their parents to have access to health records. But the guidelines also said that any students attending an institution of postsecondary education also had to provide written consent, even if they are not yet 18."
The Post Millennial — November 14, 2023
BREAKING: Matt Gaetz files ethics complaint against Kevin McCarthy after he allegedly attacked Tim Burchett in Capitol hallway
"On Tuesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a formal Ethics complaint against Rep Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) after the former House Speaker allegedly elbowed fellow GOP. Rep Tim Burchett (R-TN) in the back. 'It has come to my attention that this morning, November 14, 2023, following a meeting of the House Republican Conference, Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) assaulted Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN) in the hallways of Capitol complex. This assault was witnessed by multiple people, including Claudia [Grisales] of NPR, who was interviewing Rep. Burchett at the time.'"
WHAT WE'RE READING
WEAR NEWS — November 15, 2023
VOTE: Do you think the Biden administration's border policies are putting the nation's safety and security at risk?
Revolver News — November 14, 2023
Thanks to a bombshell new report, we now know why Soros's biggest DA hit the "eject button" and resigned…
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