Hello, Friends —
As Memorial Day approaches, it's important we remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Memorial Day is a time to remember all those who have died while serving our country and we must not forget the brave Americans from Northwest Florida who fought and died in battle. Words cannot describe their devotion, the purity of their love, or the totality of their courage. We know we can never repay our debt to these fallen heroes — as that debt is infinite. But this Memorial Day, and every day, let us honor these selfless heroes and pray for the ones they left behind.
REP. GAETZ APPLAUDS $240 MILLION FOR NORTHWEST FLORIDA'S MILITARY MISSION IN FY 2025 NDAA
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), I applaud the committee’s passage of the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday night. I was able to secure more than $240 million for Northwest Florida’s military mission, with more than $191 million being allocated for military construction—the largest amount of funding obtained by any member.
This funding will be put toward several projects, including $98 million for the Advanced Helicopter Training System Hangar at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field for TH-73 helicopters used for training pilots in the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. An additional $42 million was allocated to maximize the testing capability of the Eastern Gulf Test & Training Range (EGTTR) and address gaps in funding. These important resources will further cement Northwest Florida’s reputation as America’s premier location for military training.
Additionally, the committee-passed NDAA included two other priorities for Northwest Florida’s military mission. I secured a provision directing the Sectary of the Navy to implement a plan to repair or replace the Blue Angels hangar at NAS Pensacola, which sustained damage from Hurricane Sally. The committee also adopted my amendment creating an exemption under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow for the Department of Defense to resume important weapons testing in the EGTTR that may result in the incidental taking of the Rice’s whale. This exemption is critical to maintaining hypersonic missile testing in the nearly 120,000 square miles of overwater airspace in the EGTTR.
Lastly, I spoke in support of Rep. Jim Banks’ amendment to get rid of race-based admissions in our military academies. The prevalence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies being implemented in our military academies is completely unacceptable. Diversity is not the greatest strength of this country—merit is. It is the hard work, ideas, and individualism of our people—regardless of race—that make America great.
Now that the NDAA has passed out of committee, it will move to the House floor for consideration in the coming weeks.
To read my press release, click here. Additionally, to watch me speak on DEI policies during the NDAA mark-up, click here.
THE ATF IS CRIMINALIZING LAW-ABIDING AMERICANS
During Wednesday’s Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing regarding the oversight of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), I had the opportunity to question several witnesses about the ATF’s egregious zero-tolerance policy.
Ryan Cleckner, a former Army ranger, attorney, and co-founder of Gun University, informed me that anyone can have their federal firearms license (FFL) completely revoked for something as simple as a spelling error. In fact, FFL holders are facing harsh penalties from the ATF even when local police departments make paperwork errors during a part of background checks! This unfair practice punishes those striving to be legally compliant for mistakes beyond their control and prevents the public from being able to defend themselves against actual criminals.
Additionally, ATF Director Steven Dettelbach was before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday. I took this opportunity to confront him regarding his agency’s new rule attacking private sales of firearms, barring Americans from the legal transfer of firearms. The ATF is once again trying to create felons out of law-abiding Americans.
A U.S. 5th Circuit District Judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, has already struck down this rule, saying that the ATF has exceeded their authority in its implementation. This rule is so overly broad that Director Dettelbach himself can’t define it! Congress needs to abolish the ATF immediately and restore the 2nd Amendment rights of the American people!
To watch me question Ryan Cleckner, click here. To watch me question ATF Director Steven Dettelbach, click here. Additionally, to read my press release, click here.
REP. GAETZ VOTES FOR BILL PREVENTING THE FEDERAL RESERVE FROM DEVELOPING DIGITAL CURRENCY
On Thursday, I voted for H.R. 5403, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, which would bar the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). A CBDC would be one of the most dangerous threats to liberty and individual rights in history by extending the government’s control over our money and our lives. It would eliminate the ability of Americans to make private transactions. If the government is allowed to block our transactions, it could coerce us to take certain actions, effectively controlling our whole lives.
I will always support the freedom of Americans to control their own money. The Fed is already too powerful as is!
AROUND THE DISTRICT
OFFICES OF REP. GAETZ & STATE REP. RUDMAN TO HOLD MOBILE OFFICE HOURS IN NAVARRE
On May 29th, my office will be hosting mobile office hours from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT with State Representative Joel Rudman at the Navarre Visitor Information Center in Navarre, Florida. The purpose of this event is to assist constituents with issues involving federal and state casework issues, such as the IRS, VA, USCIS, passports, and SBA.
These office hours offer constituents, who do not live close to one of the district offices, a more convenient way to receive Federal and State casework assistance.
RSVP today at: GaetzOfficeHours2024.Eventbrite.com
PENSACOLA RANKED 4TH SAFEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES
The City of Pensacola was recognized as the fourth safest city in America by U.S. News & World Report this week! I send my sincere thanks to all those who have worked tirelessly to make our community a safe place to live.
To read my statement, click here.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN FLORIDA’S HURRICANE SALES TAX HOLIDAYS
I encourage all Northwest Floridians to prepare for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which starts on June 1st and continues through November. After assessing damage done from hurricanes in the past few years, I know how crucial it is to have at least seven days of supplies on hand. These supplies include food, water, medicine, batteries, etc.
To help with purchasing these supplies, do not forget to take advantage of Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays. Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 7063, which includes two disaster preparedness holidays, to assist families preparing for hurricane season with items such as tarps, batteries, and flashlights—all tax-free. The two tax-exempt periods will take place from Saturday, June 1st, through Saturday, June 15th, as well as Saturday, August 24th, through Friday, September 6th.
Here are some additional tips to safely prepare for potential emergencies and keep you and your loved ones safe:
Prepare a kit. Ensure you and your family have a disaster kit ready to go in case of an emergency. For more information on items to include in a kit, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.
Get to know your surroundings. Know the elevation of your house and property. Hurricanes often bring storm surge, which is considered the greatest threat to property and life during any tropical storm. Know your communities’ evacuation routes and how you would evacuate to higher ground. For more information on potential storm surge areas visit https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/.
Consistently check the weather. The Coast Guard’s mobile app for boating safety is a tool to check marine weather from your phone. With the mobile app, you can check the weather at nearby NOAA buoys, which provide wind speed and direction along with wave height. Checking weather any time you plan to get underway and throughout your time on the water is highly recommended.
Secure your boats. Review your hurricane plan with your local marina to ensure you have a plan to both bring your boat in and strap it down ashore or otherwise ensure it is properly equipped to ride out the storm at the marina.
Listen to local officials. When it comes to hurricane response and preparedness, the most important link in the chain is you: prepare your boat for the season, have a hurricane mooring plan, and monitor channel 16 on your VHF radio when on the water. Prior to planning a trip, keep an eye on the weather, port conditions, and other hurricane warnings.
For further questions, please consult the Emergency Management websites for the county you reside in:
- Escambia County
- Santa Rosa County
- Okaloosa County
- Walton County
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Tampa Free Press — May 23, 2024
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Champions GOP Effort To Eradicate DEI At US Military Academies
“I’m against DEI in our universities. I’m against DEI in our military. And, for sure, I’m against DEI in the universities that exist to serve our military,” said Gaetz. “We should not have race-based admissions anywhere in the United States of America... Our policies are best served when we have a system that is based on merit,” Gaetz added. “Diversity is not the greatest strength of this country — merit is. We are stronger because we have had the most meritorious ideas, the most entrepreneurial businesses, the best weapons systems, and the bravest people.”
Breitbart News — May 23, 2024
ATF Director Can’t Say at What Point Private Citizens Become ‘Engaged in the Business’ of Selling Guns
“ATF Director Steven Dettelbach could not define a precise threshold for when private citizens are considered ‘engaged in the business’ of selling guns during a House Judiciary hearing on Thursday. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) referenced the ATF’s new universal background check rule during the hearing, then pointedly asked Dettelbach, ‘So, how many firearms does someone have to sell to be ‘engaged in the business’ of firearms dealing?’ Dettelbach responded, ‘Congressman, as you know, that matter is being litigated in several courts. So sticking with what’s already in the public record, the rule itself is about 16 pages, skipping lines, and there is about…over 400 pages of explanation. So, there are factors that are conduct based, not numerical based but conduct based.’ He then went on to say the agency ‘received many comments’ on the rule, suggesting some of those comments dealt with where the threshold might be.”
Tampa Free Press — May 23, 2024
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Cheers Passage Of His Bill To Reopen Military Weapons Testing Site
“Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida on Wednesday celebrated the passage of his bill to reopen part of a military weapons-testing site in the northern Gulf of Mexico that the Biden administration slammed shut because of concern about whales... Gaetz said of the situation last June, ‘A serious nation would not sacrifice national security for the sake of accommodating whales.’”
WHAT WE’RE READING
The Wall Street Journal — May 19, 2024
U.S. to Withdraw Troops From Niger
The Hill — May 23, 2024
House passes bill to ban noncitizens from voting in local DC elections
WEAR Pensacola — May 23, 2024
Man arrested, 2 injured after DUI crash involving 5 vehicles in Santa Rosa County
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