Hello, Friends —

This week, the House of Representatives was scheduled to consider legislation to reauthorize section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act (FISA), which is set to expire on April 20, 2024. FISA section 702 authorizes surveillance of foreign individuals, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has used it as an end-around on the Fourth Amendment to spy on Americans without a warrant. House leadership was going to allow a vote on an amendment supported by a coalition of conservatives and progressive Democrats to require the FBI to get a warrant before spying on Americans.

With the prospect of representatives siding with the majority of Americans who are in favor of a warrant requirement, Congressman Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee took unprecedented and reckless action to ensure government agents can continue their unconstitutional surveillance. On Wednesday, the day before the votes on the FISA section 702 legislation were supposed to occur, Chairman Turner publicly raised the alarm about a “serious national security threat.” Mere hours later, House leadership pulled the bill from consideration.

There is nothing in the classified information that I reviewed that scares me more than the intelligence on the threats posed by our open southern border.  I believe the timing of this “threat” is suspicious because Chairman Turner is all about reauthorizing FISA section 702 without the necessary reforms to protect the rights of Americans. It appears it was a calculated move, leveraging fear to subvert critical FISA section 702 reform, specifically the need for a warrant requirement to protect the privacy of American citizens. In my seven years serving in the House and on the House Armed Services Committee, I have never seen such an extreme attempt to scare the American people and members of Congress.

Ultimately, this week was pivotal for FISA section 702 reform. Amidst a backdrop of a manufactured urgent threat, the vote was abruptly pulled. Chairman Turner has positioned it as a binary choice: either we accept FISA in its current form, with its warrantless surveillance capabilities, or we are left vulnerable to another tragedy on the scale of 9/11. This false dichotomy ignores the fact that we can both uphold our Constitution and protect our nation from foreign attacks at the same time. House leadership should not continue to allow the Intelligence Committee to have a veto over protecting the Fourth Amendment rights of Americans.

THE DEEP STATE IS TRYING TO REPLACE JOE BIDEN!

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On Monday, I joined “Eric Bolling The Balance” on Newsmax to discuss Joe Biden’s continuing cognitive decline and the increasing likelihood that Democrats will replace him as their presidential nominee this year.

In January of 2023, I predicted the Joe Biden classified documents scandal would be the basis the Deep State would use to replace him as the Democratic nominee for president. That is what’s happening now.

FIREBRAND EP. 150: UKRAINE IMPEACHMENT TRAP (FEAT. CURT MILLS)

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On Monday’s episode of Firebrand, I broadcasted live from Rumble Studios in Washington, D.C., where I was joined by Curt Mills, the Executive Director of The American Conservative. We discussed the battle over Ukraine aid in the Senate and the immigration crisis.

REP. GAETZ INTRODUCES BILL CODIFYING STATES’ RIGHT TO DEFEND SOUTHERN BORDER

On Tuesday, I introduced the ‘‘State Border Security Act,” a companion bill to legislation introduced by Senator JD Vance last month. The legislation follows the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that enabled the Biden administration to proceed with removing barriers erected on the border by the State of Texas.

If the legislation is enacted, it would prohibit federal officers from removing barbed wire or any other barriers set up by state governments within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, except fencing built to encourage, instead of prevent, illegal immigration. Additionally, it would allow the attorney general to request a court injunction relief if there is definitive evidence that a state government erected such fencing with the purpose of promoting illegal immigration.

Since the Biden administration refuses to take action, Congress must empower states to defend themselves against the unprecedented invasion at the Southern Border. 

Read my press release here.

FIREBRAND EP. 151: DEAD BILL WALKING

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On Tuesday’s episode of Firebrand, I reacted to the Senate passing legislation to give $95 billion to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, in addition to the reauthorization of section 702 of FISA coming up in Congress.

FIREBRAND EP. 152: SPYING, SPENDING & SECURITY (FEAT. REP. LAUREN BOEBERT)

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On Wednesday’s episode of Firebrand, I broadcasted live from Rumble Studios in Washington, D.C., where I was joined by Rep. Lauren Boebert to discuss the alleged national security threat, the FISA abuses, and the Senate’s push to send money overseas to Ukraine.

It was incredibly irresponsible of House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Rep. Mike Turner, to gaslight the country, alleging this “national security threat.” The game you are watching is not the game being played. They’ll try to use the veneer of this threat to justify spying on the American people and spending their money.

REP. GAETZ CONFRONTS DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ON HOW THE U.S. CAN STOP RUSSIA 

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On Thursday, I spoke during a House Armed Services Committee hearing about how the United States can outpace China and the Department of Defense’s (DoD) programs and initiatives to accelerate innovative technologies, solutions, and capabilities. During the hearing, two of the senior DoD officials threw cold water on the notion that America can’t stop Russia from deploying nuclear weapons in space.

FIREBRAND EP. 153: NATHAN WADE NUKED IN COURT (FEAT. REP. BOB GOOD)

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On Thursday’s episode of Firebrand, I broadcasted live from Rumble Studios in Washington, D.C., where I was joined by Rep. Bob Good to discuss the Freedom Caucus, which he leads as chairman, and the state of the House leadership. I also reacted to the trial of Fani Willis and her ex-lover Nathan Wade!

AROUND THE DISTRICT

REPS. GAETZ & DUNN TO HOLD MOBILE OFFICE HOURS IN WALTON COUNTY

On Wednesday, February 28th, my office will be hosting mobile office hours from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT in Walton County, Florida, with the office of Rep. Neal Dunn. The purpose of this event is to better inform constituents on how we can assist them with issues involving federal agencies, such as the IRS, VA, USCIS, passports, and SBA.

These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to my district office a more convenient way to receive casework assistance.

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

Daily Caller — February 13, 2024

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Gaetz Introduces Bill To Protect States’ Right To Defend Southern Border

“Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz introduced legislation Tuesday that would codify states’ rights to defend the southern border. The Daily Caller first obtained a copy of the legislation, which is titled the State Border Security Act. The bill would specifically prohibit federal officers from removing barbed wire or any other barriers set up by state governments within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. It is a House companion bill to legislation introduced by Republican Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance in January.”

Breitbart News — February 15, 2024

Republicans Blast Mike Turner for Hyping Russia Threat, Call for an Inquiry

“Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), a staunch opponent of sending more U.S. taxpayer aid to Ukraine on top of the $113 billion already spent, called Turner ‘incredibly irresponsible.’ ‘The game you’re watching is not the game that is actually being played. I think it was incredibly irresponsible for House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner to go out and gaslight the country alleging this national security threat,” he said on his show Firebrand.’”

Tampa Free Press — February 15, 2024

Florida Rep. Gaetz Quashes Fear After Questioning DOD On US Stopping Russian Space Nukes

“Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida on Thursday seemed to clear the air and panic of a Russian nuclear space threat following the alarming statement on Wednesday of doom and gloom from Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio.”

Politico — February 16, 2024

Progressives and conservatives unite to prod Johnson on warrantless surveillance

“A rare alliance of progressive and conservative House lawmakers is trying to raise pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote on reauthorizing a controversial surveillance authority after he delayed it again this week. Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, is joining Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Ben Cline (R-Va.) on a joint statement, obtained first by POLITICO, that warns ‘repeatedly punting legislation … is unproductive.’”  

WHAT WE’RE READING

Washington Examiner — February 13, 2024

Alejandro Mayorkas impeached by House over border crisis after surviving vote last week

Axios — February 15, 2024

Fani Willis defends herself against damaging allegations in Trump case

Reuters — February 16, 2024