Hello, Friends —
This week, the House of Representatives passed yet another bill that spends more than $1 trillion. The bill was released in the early hours of Thursday morning, leaving House members a little more than 24 hours to read more than 1,000 pages, violating the House rule that bills be available 72 hours before a final vote. Instead of putting downward pressure on spending, this omnibus spends at levels higher than Nancy Pelosi spent when she was Speaker, which, with a Republican majority, is completely unacceptable. That is why I voted emphatically against this disastrous legislation.
I will continue to vote against these packages, speak out against them, debate against them, and do everything I can to encourage my colleagues to join me. Congress has to stop punting the appropriations process of debating, amending, and passing 12 individual appropriations bills. Because this omnibus was negotiated behind closed doors, preventing the House from genuinely legislating, it is full of millions of dollars of earmarks to organizations that provide late-term abortions, help minors get transgender surgeries, and push “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives. Additionally, nearly all the policy riders House Republicans fought to include in the appropriations bills passed last year were abandoned—including any riders to force the Biden administration to secure our Southern border.
The more the House passes these reckless, unrefined, and lazy spending measures, the more the Democrats get to force their radical agenda upon America. We must drag department and agency heads into Congress and make them defend their increasingly asinine budgets. If we want to end the radical policies of the Biden administration, House Republicans must stop funding them.
MONDAY: REP. GAETZ TO HOST LEGISLATIVE UPDATE IN DESTIN
This Monday, March 25th, I look forward to seeing many of you at the Destin Community Center for my Legislative Update! This event will be a special chance for me to inform residents of Northwest Florida directly about the House of Representatives’ most recent legislation and public policy that impact our community and beyond. I encourage everyone to stop by to hear exactly how I have been bringing your fight to Washington.
This event will be located at 101 Stahlman Ave, Destin, FL, beginning at 6:00 p.m. CT. RSVP today at: GaetzLegUpdate.Eventbrite.com.
For any questions you may have, please contact my District Office at 850.479.1183.
REP. GAETZ LEADS FLORIDA REPUBLICAN MEMBERS CALLING FOR JOE BIDEN TO AUTHORIZE U.S. NAVY TO STOP ANTICIPATED HAITIAN INVASION
Earlier this week on Monday, I led a group of Florida House Republicans in an official request to President Joe Biden to use his presidential authorities to declare “an anticipated mass migration from Haiti aliens en route to the United States” through Florida to allow the U.S. Navy to reinforce Florida’s efforts to conduct maritime interdictions and repatriation of Haitians.
At the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida deployed the U.S. Coast Guard to protect Florida’s waterways from an expect surge of Haitian migrants, but their jurisdiction ends three miles out from the coastline. We need the Biden administration to make a declaration of incoming invaders in order to carry out these interdictions closer to Haiti.
To read my press release on the letter, click here. To watch my recent interview with CBS 12 West Palm Beach about the anticipated Haitian invasion headed, click here.
DHS IS WITHHOLDING INFORMATION REGARDING ILLEGAL ALIEN WHO KILLED MY CONSTITUENT!
Click Here To Watch!
Byron Pineda, an illegal alien who was driving on a suspended license, crashed into one of my constituents, killing him. I spoke to WEAR-TV on Monday about how the Department of Homeland Security declined to answer my questions about Mr. Pineda's legal status, saying he would have to sign off on any information released. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction governing immigration policies and crime, this information is within the scope of my work as a member of Congress.
WE NEED A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WILLING TO FIGHT!
Click Here To Watch!
In an interview with CNN's Abby Phillip on Tuesday, I spoke about Mike Johnson’s overall track record as House Speaker in Congress and President Trump’s ongoing legal battles. I believe having a Republican House majority is necessary, but not sufficient. It has to be a majority that is willing to fight! We need a Republican conference that has more of an America First worldview and is more focused on downward pressure on federal spending.
COULD TAIWAN BE A REPEAT OF THE AFGHANISTAN DISASTER?
Click Here To Watch!
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday regarding the military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, I discussed the what could happen in potential conflict between Taiwan and China in the future, and it becoming an another disaster, like Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense gave large weapons systems to Afghanistan that fell into the hands of the Taliban and were repurposed against the United States. I worry that the same thing will happen in Taiwan if there is a conflict—except this time, those weapons will transfer to the People’s Liberation Army of China.
THE BIDENS WERE BRIBED BY THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY!
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Tony Bobulinski, the original whistleblower and former business partner to Hunter Biden, detailed how he discovered Joe and Hunter Biden’s business ventures were really a bribe operation with the Chinese Communist Party during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday.
Additionally, the Democrats could have sent anyone to refute the direct evidence of Joe and Hunter Biden’s corruption. Instead, they sent Lev Parnas—a man charged with enough campaign finance crimes to serve 50 years! He gave little credibility to their counterarguments, and it blew their case out of the water.
Watch my interview with Eric Bolling on Newsmax about the hearing here.
HOW MANY COUP LEADERS HAVE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS FUNDED?
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I put a requirement in the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act for the Department of Defense to issue a report to Congress as to how many coup leaders taxpayers have funded training for. That report was due today but has not been received. Instead, during Thursday's House Armed Services Committee hearing on the military's actions in the Greater Middle East and Africa, General Michael E. Langley had problems answering questions about the U.S. base in Niger and the overall involvement the U.S. has had in funding and training coup leaders.
FIREBRAND EP. 160: HUNTER'S BUSINESS PARTNERS
Click Here To Watch!
On Thursday’s episode of Firebrand, I recapped this week's committee hearings on the influence peddling and consummation of bribes from foreign officials by the Biden Crime Family, in addition to the military’s posture and the national security challenges in the Greater Middle East and Africa, where U.S. taxpayers have flipped the bill for training the next generation of coup leaders.
DOES AI HELP OR HURT OUR MILITARY?
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I spoke during a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee hearing today on the Department of Defense’s (DoD) integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and whether the current military strategy has the potential to fundamentally change modern warfare for better or worse. The DOD’s chief AI officer, Dr. Craig Martell, broke down the most urgent issues posed by this new technology.
FIREBRAND EP. 161: HIT BY A MINIBUS
Click Here To Watch!
On today's episode of Firebrand, I reacted to the terrible $1.2 trillion omnibus spending package passed by the House, described some of the woke policies hidden in the bill in addition to discussing the latest news on the illegal alien invasion of Florida, and the Taiwan-China conflict.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
TEAM GAETZ ATTENDS WEST POINT SOCIETY OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION
My Director of Military Affairs attended the West Point Society of Northwest Florida’s Founders Day Celebration at Fort Walton Yacht Club to mark the 222nd anniversary of the founding of the West Point Military Academy by President Thomas Jefferson. Colonel John Baskerville, the Foreign Language Department Chair, shared some remarks about the state of the Academy.
At the event, Colonel Baskerville was able to surprise two of my nominees, Mr. Brenner Mavity of Navarre and Mr. Andrew Nettles of Gulf Breeze, with news about their appointments (acceptances) to West Point! I could not be more proud of them!
PANHANDLE RESIDENTS TO GET HIGH-END INTERNET ACCESS
I was thrilled to hear that AT&T is planning to expand its fiber internet service for thousands of people in Okaloosa County, Crestview, and Fort Walton Beach, to improve internet access for schools, businesses, and residents. The new "Gigapower" fiber network aims to provide faster broadband speeds and support more devices while enhancing the region's internet reliability and performance.
Read more about it here.
IMPORTANT PASSPORT ANNOUNCEMENT
My team attended a Department of State Passport Seminar at the Miami Passport Agency for an update on U.S. passport processing. Last year, the State Department saw a record number of passport applications, with more than 24 million passports issued to American citizens. I am pleased to announce that passport services have returned to pre-coronavirus processing times and that there is no better time to apply for a passport or passport renewal. Please see the following expected processing times immediately below:
Routine: 6-8 weeks
Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60
The State Department has also rolled out a new online passport appointment system for travelers who are departing the country within two weeks. For more information and appointment availability, please visit PassportAppointment.Travel.State.gov or call 877.487.2778. Please note that appointments are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and availability is not guaranteed.
Additionally, the State Department advises constituents that have a passport that is expired or is expiring within one year to renew their passports even if they do not have travel planned. For more information on passports, please visit Travel.State.gov. My team will continue to fervently work to provide Northwest Floridians with a pleasant and timely passport experience. If you need assistance with acquiring a passport, please contact Nate Oliphant at [email protected] or call my District Office at 850.479.1183.
REP. GAETZ HOSTS ANNUAL ACADEMY NIGHT
I am pleased to announce I will be holding the 2024 Academy Night on Thursday, April 4th! The Academy Night is an opportunity for high school students to speak directly to me and Service Academy representatives and learn more about the process for admission to the U.S. Service Academies and receiving a Congressional Nomination.
Academy Night will be hosted from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CT at Fort Walton Beach High School: 400 Hollywood Blvd. NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL.
All high school students, JROTC groups, parents, principals, and educators are invited to attend this event to learn about entry to the U.S. Service Academies. I look forward to meeting all of you!
RSVP today at: GaetzAcademy2024.Eventbrite.com
For any questions, contact Austin Bury at [email protected] or call my District Office at 850.479.1183.
REP. GAETZ TO HOST 2024 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
I am pleased to announce I will be holding the 2024 Congressional Art Competition this upcoming spring! I encourage all Northwest Florida high school students to participate in this year’s competition. The deadline to submit pieces of art is Friday, April 12th, 2024.
The Congressional Art Competition commencement will be held on Saturday, April 27th, at the Artel Gallery: 223 Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL. I will be there to announce the winners!
Please contact my District Office at 850.479.1183 if you have any questions about this event. We look forward to seeing all of the artwork that students have worked so hard on!
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
CBS12 West Palm Beach — March 15, 2024
Rep. Matt Gaetz braces for Haitian mass migration, urges Biden administration to help
“As violent gangs have overtaken the island of Haiti, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz says his state is bracing for a massive surge in Haitian migrants. ‘I don’t want southeast Florida to become Haiti,’ Gaetz said.”
Fox News — March 18, 2024
Gaetz leads push for Biden to take ‘immediate’ action on feared Haitian migrant crisis
“Florida lawmakers, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, are calling for an ‘immediate’ response from President Biden over concerns about a potential mass migration of Haitians coming to the country via boats -- days after the state’s governor surged personnel and aircraft to the coast.”
WEAR Pensacola — March 18, 2024
Rep. Gaetz questions officials on fatal Pensacola crash involving illegal immigrant
“Northwest Florida Representative Matt Gaetz says federal officials are dodging his questions about the illegal immigrant involved in a crash that killed a Pensacola man. Byron Pineda was arrested on Feb. 20 after the Florida Highway Patrol says he changed lanes into the path of a 21-year-old motorcyclist. The biker was killed”
The Tennessee Star — March 20, 2024
U.S. Reps. Andy Ogles, Matt Gaetz, and Andy Biggs Send Letter to the Federal Bureau of Prisons Requesting J6 Prisoner Stewart Parks Be Transferred to Minimum Security Satellite Camp
“U.S. Representatives Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), Matt Gaetz (R-FL-01), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) have sent a letter to the director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons requesting that unjustly imprisoned January 6 defendant Stewart Parks be moved to the minimum security satellite camp located at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Memphis.”
WHAT WE’RE READING
Daily Signal — March 18, 2024
EXCLUSIVE: Biden Presides Over Record-Breaking 11 Embassy Evacuations
The Hill — March 19, 2024
Pentagon inspector general launches Ukraine oversight website
Washington Examiner — March 19, 2024
Supreme Court allows Texas to implement major immigration law |
