Hello, Friends —
Ginger and I hope you all had a happy New Year!
This week, I had the opportunity to visit the U.S.-Mexico border again near Eagle Pass, Texas, alongside Speaker Mike Johnson and other House Republicans. What I witnessed was nothing short of the intentional destruction of our Southern Border by the Biden administration.
While visiting, Texas stakeholders told me how under the corrupt orders of DHS Secretary Mayorkas and Joe Biden, we will never see our border protected. It’s up to House Republicans to use the leverage we have to save our Southern Border from the Biden administration.
REPS. BIGGS, CRANE, GAETZ, GOOD, ROSENDALE: SHUT DOWN THE BORDER OR WE SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT
Click HERE to watch Rep. Gaetz’s interview with Ben Bergquam
Border security is national security, and under President Joe Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’ terrible leadership, it has become abundantly clear that our border is not being protected. Since day one, the Biden administration has implemented policies that flaunt our immigration laws, undermining our security and creating a crisis at the Southern border. That is why, last May, the House passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which includes targeted policies to end abuse of our immigration loopholes and mandates the completion of the border wall. Inexcusably, this bill, which would go a long way toward fixing this disastrous situation at our Southern border, is currently languishing on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's desk.
When Congress comes back into session next week, Republicans must force President Biden to secure the border—or shut down the government. The power of the purse is the only leverage the House has, and if we aren’t willing to use it to shut down the border, what use is it?
I spoke with Ben Bergquam from Real America’s Voice, as well as Reps. Biggs, Crane, Good, and Rosendale at the Southern Border to discuss how House Republicans should use our leverage going forward to protect our country.
REP. GAETZ INSPECTS FCI MIAMI’S SPECIAL HOUSING UNIT HOLDING JANUARY 6TH INMATES
On Friday, following the invitation by Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Peters in November, my staff and I conducted an inspection of the special housing unit at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Miami, which previously held John Strand, who was convicted for crimes related to January 6, 2021.
I remain committed to ensuring that all inmates, including J6ers, at the Federal Bureau of Prisons are treated fairly without the utilization of retaliation as a punishment tool.
It remains concerning, however, that Mr. Strand was moved to another facility after my office scheduled the visit and before I arrived today. The staff at FCI Miami seems to have acted appropriately while housing Mr. Strand though.
Despite the suspicious correlation of Mr. Strand being moved after I requested to visit him at FCI Miami, I will continue to follow up with BOP until I am able to directly speak with him about his allegations of political retaliation while incarcerated.
Click HERE to watch BOP Director Peters invite Rep. Gaetz to inspect Mr. Strand’s conditions in November.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
OFFICE OF REP. GAETZ RETURNED MORE THAN $16 MILLION TO FL-01 CONSTITUENTS IN 2023
One of the most critical services my district office provides is assisting constituents with issues they are experiencing when dealing with federal agencies. Some examples of what we assist with are Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, tax-refund issues with the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits process, and even passport issues. Through this casework, my office returned or recovered more than $16 million for the people of Florida’s First Congressional District in 2023, and we’re thrilled about what’s ahead in 2024!
If there are any issues or difficulties you are experiencing with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to reach out to my district office at 850-479-1183 or visit my website to submit a request for assistance.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
RedState — January 3, 2024
Matt Gaetz Supports Anti-Vax Mandate ‘Declaration of Military Accountability’ in X-Space
“The Republican congressman representing Florida’s Panhandle participated in an X-Space that lasted more than three hours with more than 20,000 individual listeners hosted by the authors and signatories of the Declaration of Military Accountability—a letter signed by more than 200 military personnel and veterans demanding sanctions for the officers who enforced President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.”
Hannity.com — January 3, 2024
WELCOMING COMMITTEE: Gaetz Shares Border Footage, Shows CBP Cutting Fencing for Migrants
“A delegation of 60 GOP members of Congress are currently in Eagle Pass, Texas to witness first-hand the destructive nature of President Biden’s failed border policies. Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz shared a clip on X sent to him by a Texas official that shows CBP destroying sections of the razorwire border.”
Florida’s Voice — January 3, 2024
Gaetz visits Texas to witness ‘intentional destruction’ of the border, calls for shutdown
“EAGLE PASS, Texas – Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., emphasized the urgency and need to combat the President Joe Biden’s administration’s southern border policy during a visit to Texas on Wednesday. ‘I’m currently in Eagle Pass, TX witnessing the intentional destruction of our Southern Border by the Biden administration,’ Gaetz said on social media.”
WHAT WE’RE READING
Fox News — January 3, 2024
House Homeland Security Committee sets first Mayorkas impeachment hearing
Daily Caller — January 4, 2024
Nancy Pelosi’s 2023 Stock Performance Was Truly Eye-Popping
Politico — January 5, 2024
House GOP plans first step toward holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress
|
