Hello, Friends —
This week, the House of Representatives continued our appropriations work, considering two more bills to fund portions of the federal government. The first of these was the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. Unfortunately, rather than cutting spending, the bill increased it over the fiscal year 2024 enacted level. Because of this, the bill faced opposition from House conservatives, forcing leadership to pull the bill from the floor because it lacked the votes to pass. However, the second bill, the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, moved in the right direction by reducing spending to below the fiscal year 2024 enacted level, and the spending is even below the fiscal year 2022 amount. Accordingly, I voted for this bill, which passed 210-205.
REP. GAETZ LEADS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO EL SALVADOR
Last weekend, I led a congressional delegation on an official visit to El Salvador. I was joined by Congressmen Dan Bishop, Andy Biggs, and Alex Mooney. We traveled there to experience President Nayib Bukele’s newly developed approach to criminal justice through his prison facility known as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). We also had the opportunity to get briefed by the Green Berets 7th Special Forces Group from Northwest Florida, who are permanently stationed in El Salvador to conduct foreign internal defense. I am incredibly thankful for the service and dedication these soldiers in the furtherance of U.S.-El Salvadorian relations.
El Salvador is a country on the rise because their people are finally safe from violent crime, allowing them to be prosperous once more. However, in past years, the United States Congress has been too willing to lump El Salvador in with its dangerous neighboring countries of Honduras and Guatemala when it comes to our nation’s approach to foreign policy. This unfair association is exactly why I formed the Congressional El Salvador Caucus. El Salvador deserves its own respect and its own relationship directly with the United States. Its reputation should not be colored by their neighboring nations or the unfortunate happenings in other Central American countries.
I believe the good ideas in El Salvador actually have legs and can serve as an example for the United States, allowing for Americans to once again be safe, hopeful, and prosperous. At the end of the day, the example we see in the CECOT is the solution: We must separate violent criminals from the people who are working to better themselves and their country.
To watch my video filmed in the El Salvador CECOT, click here.
REP. GAETZ INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO STOP FEDERAL PROSECUTORS FROM SEEKING AGGRESSIVE SENTENCES FOR J6 DEFENDANTS
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Colleen Peters refused to commit to allowing Congress access to see Steve Bannon in prison and explain why Peter Navarro was too notorious to visit!
Director Peters attempted to shift the responsibility for approving access to Bannon to the BOP Office of Legislative Affairs, despite her leading the entire department. Not only this, but she was testifying to members of the federal legislature! If this doesn’t count as a legislative affair, then I don’t know what does.
Prior to Director Peters' testimony before the Judiciary Committee, I introduced the “Resentencing Integrity Act of 2024” to ensure federal prosecutors do not retaliate against January 6th defendants petitioning for resentencing.
Before the Supreme Court’s decision in Fischer v. United States, Biden Department of Justice officials threatened to seek new, additional jail time for people who wanted to ask for a new sentence after their initial sentence was found illegal. My bill, if enacted, would require courts to count the time already served toward any new sentence, making the process fairer, and would cap this credit at 10 years. Additionally, it would ensure that justice is served fairly, balancing the need for accountability with the protection of individual rights.
To read my press release, click here. Additionally, to watch my questioning of Director Peters, click here.
KAMALA HARRIS LIED TO US ABOUT BIDEN’S CONDITION!
Click Here to Watch!
On Tuesday, I joined “America First with Sebastian Gorka” on the Salem News Network to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris taking over Joe Biden’s Presidential ticket. Kamala Harris will never be able to escape the fact that she deliberately hid Joe Biden’s condition from all of us!
How can you trust Washington Democrats at all after this? They lied to this country for years about Joe Biden, and they are going to keep lying to us in the future.
REP. GAETZ REACTS TO RESIGNATION OF KIMBERLY CHEATLE AS U.S. SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR
I was incredibly glad to see FORMER Director of the U.S. Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle resign from her position on Tuesday.
Make no mistake, Kimberly Cheatle abjectly failed to protect President Trump. Her resignation is more than appropriate, although it marks only the beginning of the accountability that is to come - not the end.
To read my statement, click here.
REPS. GAETZ AND PANETTA ISSUE LETER TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR LYING TO CONGRESS ON THE U.S. WITHDRAWAL FROM NIGER
On Wednesday, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined me in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of State (DoS) providing conflicting information to Congress related to the drawdown of more than 1,000 U.S. troops from Niger.
On March 21, 2024, Assistant Secretary for Defense for International Security Affairs, Dr. Celeste Wallander, provided inaccurate testimony to Rep. Panetta during a House Committee on Armed Services (HASC) hearing, claiming Niger “has not asked or demanded” that the U.S. military leave Niger. However, on July 9, 2024, in response to an April letter from my office, DoS stated it received “a diplomatic note” from the government of Niger on March 19, 2024, terminating the agreement to allow U.S. military within the country and revoking access to facilities, thus asking the U.S. to leave.
To read my press release, click here.
DID THE FBI DIRECTOR KNOW ABOUT JOE BIDEN’S DECLINE?
Click Here to Watch!
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, I questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray on whether or not he had been aware of Joe Biden’s mental decline. Even though Democrats have already put Joe Biden out to pasture as a candidate due to his own incompetency, Wray couldn’t give me a straight answer!
The question is: At what point did Kamala Harris or Christopher Wray know Joe Biden was no longer fit to be President of the United States? Who all was a part of the conspiracy to hid Biden’s decline from the country?
REP. GAETZ INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO STOP STATES FROM INTERFERING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS THROUGH UNDUE LAWFARE
On Thursday, I introduced the “Prevention of Election Interference Act of 2024,” which would block any major party presidential candidate from being sentenced in court if it interferes with their ability to campaign. The legislation, if enacted, would apply to the Republican and Democratic nominees for President and Vice President only 120 days prior to the general election and 60 days after the general election.
Presidential candidates should have the right to campaign without interference, regardless of their party affiliation! Over the past two years, state officials and unelected bureaucrats have been keeping President Trump tied up in court with dubious charges, hindering his ability to campaign nationwide. President Trump deserves the ability to campaign without undue interference by federal or state officials.
To read my press release, click here.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
UPCOMING SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS
One of the most important duties I have as your Congressman is to nominate students to various United States service academies. These include the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
The students nominated represent the very best of our district and the entire country. This year, I will nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to our district. To request a military academy nomination from our office, please click here and complete the form. Submissions are due by Friday, October 11th, 2024 at 3pm CT.
I wish you the best as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. service academies and serving our country. Please direct any further questions about the application process to my Director of Military Affairs, Austin Bury at [email protected].
For more information and frequently asked questions about academy nominations, click here.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Washington Examiner — July 23, 2024
Gaetz introduces bill to limit harsh sentences for Jan. 6 defendants
“Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) on Tuesday will introduce a bill that aims to protect Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendants from retaliation by federal prosecutors when seeking petitions for resentencing. The bill ‘will provide significant relief for January 6th defendants and ensure federal prosecutors stop aggressively pursuing charges if defendants petition for resentencing,’ Gaetz told the Washington Examiner. ‘Additionally, it will ensure that justice is served fairly, balancing the need for accountability with the protection of individual rights.’”
The Intercept — July 24, 2024
This African Country Kicked Out the U.S. Military. Did the Pentagon Lie About it?
“Gaetz and Panetta called on Austin and Blinken to provide answers about communications between the junta and the United States and copies of relevant correspondence in order to perform their ‘oversight measures with respect to Dr. Wallander’s testimony.’ The lawmakers gave the departments until early September to furnish the information, just days ahead of a September 15 deadline, imposed by the junta, to remove all U.S. troops from Niger.”
RealClearPolitics — July 24, 2024
Gaetz Grills Federal Prisons Director: Why Is John Gotti Allowed To Do Interview From Prison, But Not Peter Navarro Or Steve Bannon?
“During a Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz asked Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters whether he will be allowed to visit Steve Bannon in federal prison and film an interview. Gaetz did not get an answer.”
Breitbart News — July 25, 2024
Exclusive: Rep. Matt Gaetz Proposes to Block ‘Lawfare’ Interference in Presidential Elections
“‘Presidential candidates should have the right to campaign without interference, regardless of their party affiliation! Over the past two years, state officials and unelected bureaucrats have been keeping President Trump tied up in court with dubious charges, hindering his ability to campaign nationwide,’ Gaetz said in a written statement to Breitbart News. ‘President Trump deserves the ability to campaign without undue interference by federal or state officials.’”
WHAT WE’RE READING
Daily Mail — July 22, 2024
Mega migrant caravan from dozens of countries begins marching towards the US amid fears Trump will close the border if he returns to the White House
Fox News — July 24, 2024
US military detects, intercepts Russian fighter jets, 2 Chinese H-6 bombers prior to Biden's address
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