Hello, Friends —

This Friday, the jobs report was for May was published. Prior to its release, economists and other “experts” had gloomy expectations, predicting that another 7.5 million jobs would be lost, and that unemployment would continue to rise.

Instead, in a testament to America’s resilience — and to President Trump’s bold steps in cutting regulations and red tape — the economy gained 2.5 million jobs last month, with unemployment falling by 1.4 percent. This is great news for our country.

Even CNN called the numbers “shocking,” wondered “how everyone got it so wrong,” and noted that May was “the best month for job growth since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started tracking the data in 1939.”

I am confident that employment will rebound quickly, and that our economy will rally to new heights, as the country continues to reopen.

Speaking of reopening, on Wednesday, Governor DeSantis issued an Executive Order launching Florida into Phase Two of reopening. Brighter days are ahead!

TROPICAL STORM

Along with the warm weather comes hurricane season, and Tropical Storm Cristobal is heading near our shores, bringing the potential for heavy winds and flash flooding. 

Please take a look at the precautions listed below, and stay safe!

  1. Talk with household members about what to do if a hurricane strikes and create an evacuation plan. 
  2. Build an emergency kit in an easy-to-carry container with items including water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, first aid kit, etc. 
  3. Be informed. Learn about your community’s hurricane response plan.

Northwest Florida is strong, and we’ve rebounded quickly from past storms. Nevertheless, we must always be prepared, and we must do what we can to ensure that coming storms have a minimal impact on our families, our homes, and our communities.

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CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION

Hosting the Congressional Art Competition is always a great privilege. This year, due to the pandemic, the awards ceremony was held digitally, instead of in person, but Northwest Florida’s students remained just as talented as ever.

I am proud to recognize the outstanding work of Northwest Florida’s art students. I want to thank the parents and teachers who have helped and inspired these students, and who have encouraged their artistic pursuits.

My hearty congratulations to this year’s winners:

  • 3rd Runner up: Brooke Rorer (Gulf Breeze High School) “Thank you for Your Service”
  • 2nd Runner up: Jamie Harrison (Jay High School) “Equestrian Elegance”
  • 1st Runner up: Mary Claire Brown (South Walton High School) “Sunrise Trees)
  • 3rd Place: Brooker Rorer (Pace High School) “Dmitri the Pensacola Fisherman”
  • 2nd Place: Rhianna Cooley (Pensacola Catholic High School) “The Great Sea Witch)
  • 1st Place: Gabriella Lanza (South Walton High School) “Ocean Layer”

For more, and to see the winning artwork, please see the video below:

Art-Video
Click to play!

 

CLASS OF 2020

Due to the global pandemic, the Class of 2020 missed the opportunity to have prom, a traditional graduation, and celebrate their last year of high school. Nevertheless, they persisted. I am extremely proud of all of our students’ accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing what they achieve in the coming years.

My message to graduates:

Grad-Video
Click for video!

 

ASPCA ADOPTION WEEKEND

I have always been an animal lover, and have been saddened by the fact that the pandemic has forced shelters nationwide to reduce or suspend their operations. This weekend, the ASPCA will launch its first-ever National Adoption Weekend. If you’re looking to open your home and your heart to a new friend, this weekend is a great opportunity — and with a focus on remote/online adoptions, it’s easy to adopt while still staying safe.

 

ARE YOU LISTENING?

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Listen to my podcast, “Hot Takes with Matt Gaetz,” for a behind-the-scenes look into the latest news from the Washington swamp.

 

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES

As Florida continues reopening its economy, click for further information on the status of Escambia, Okaloosa, Holmes, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties: 

Additionally, all of our local military installations are regularly updating their websites with details about base access (and more) due to the pandemic. For more information, visit:

Finally, my staff and I have received several queries about unemployment during the pandemic. Below are some helpful resources:

  • Please visit here to file an unemployment claim.
  • Please visit here for a video tutorial on applying for reemployment assistance.
  • Please visit here for a COVID-19 Reemployment Resource Guide.

 

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

Fox News — June 4, 2020

Liberal site Slate faces backlash for saying ‘violence’ is an ‘important tool for protests’

“Others pondered if Slate had violated Twitter’s “glorifying violence” policy that was recently enforced on President Trump. ‘@twitter - Does this glorify violence? (Asking for a friend)’ Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., aimed at the platform.”


Northwest Florida Daily — June 3, 2020

Congressman Matt Gaetz announces Congressional Art Competition winners in Florida’s First District

“Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) announced the winners of this year’s Congressional Art Competition during a virtual presentation online. Students from across the First Congressional District of Florida submitted artwork for the competition pertaining to the theme “Scenes of Northwest Florida.” Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. High school students from across Florida’s First Congressional District submitted their artwork for the competition, and a panel of local art professionals judged the pieces.”


Breitbart — June 2, 2020

Matt Gaetz: Twitter ‘Ought to Look in the Mirror’ for Inciting Violence with Black Lives Matter, Antifa

“Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) charged that Twitter “ought to look in the mirror” when it comes to inciting violence when they host Antifa and Black Lives Matter organizers, according to a copy of his podcast, which Breitbart News exclusively obtained. On Gaetz’s podcast, ‘Hot Takes with Matt Gaetz,’ the Florida populist reacted to Twitter adding a warning label for one of Gaetz’s recent tweets for allegedly glorifying violence.”


Washington Examiner — June 3, 2020

Matt Gaetz trashes Twitter: ‘Tilted the scales to editorialize and shape our conversations’

“Rep. Matt Gaetz accused Twitter of censoring user content during the George Floyd protests, which have at times erupted into riots. Responding to a Wednesday article published by Just the News, the Florida Republican said Twitter officials have ‘tilted the scales’ to enforce community standards against conservatives who use the platform. ‘Big tech companies like Twitter appear to care more about the public’s perception of their brand than allowing free discourse on their platform,’ tweeted Gaetz. ‘They have tilted the scales to editorialize and shape our conversations.’”


Washington Examiner — May 29, 2020

Matt Gaetz files an FEC complaint against Twitter for ‘domestic election interference’

“Rep. Matt Gaetz filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Twitter after the social media giant issued a fact-check on one of President Trump’s tweets about absentee ballots. The Florida Republican said his motivation behind the complaint was his belief that Twitter wasn’t fact-checking content in a neutral manner and is thereby ‘making an in-kind contribution to [Trump’s] political opponents.’”

 

WHAT WE’RE READING

The Epoch Times — June 1, 2020

China Tells State Firms to Halt Purchases of Major U.S. Farm Products: Sources


AP News — June 3, 2020

China delayed releasing coronavirus info, frustrating WHO


New York Times — June 3, 2020

Florida’s Lionfish Challenge To Run Through Labor Day


Washington Examiner — June 5, 2020

Stunning May jobs report proves we must reopen everything now


Breitbart — June 4, 2020

Bulk of Florida Moving to Phase 2 Friday, Reopening Theaters and Bars


Just the News — June 4, 2020

Barr says signs of ‘foreign actors’ exacerbating violence in George Floyd protests