Hello, Friends —
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This week, Democrats gave America a taste of their policy wish list — everything from stripping our police departments bare, to making DC a new state, to hinting at new impeachment proceedings against the Trump administration.
Meaningless “messaging bills” are not legislative solutions. Americans deserve better.
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| BAD POLICY WILL NOT FIX POLICING |
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Two wrongs don’t make a right. Bad policy solutions aren’t going to reform the bad elements of our police system. Neither is attacking the institution that keeps our neighborhoods safe and protects our laws.
On Friday, Democrats’ police reform legislation passed in the House. While some of the ideas in the bill are worthy of consideration, the bill greatly oversteps the limits of federal authority, and rips decision-making from state and local governments — the jurisdictions that know their police forces (and their citizens) better than bureaucrats in Washington, DC. Additionally, the bill would leave police departments underequipped by limiting their access to surplus materials, making our streets less safe.
Republicans, on the other hand, have developed real reform measures. A week and a half ago, President Trump signed an executive order improving police training and community resources nationwide. In the Senate, Sen. Tim Scott has drafted a police reform bill that balances substantive reforms with respect for state and local leadership. It includes many common-sense proposals supported by Americans of all political orientations, including additional reporting from law enforcement agencies on their use of force, ensuring officers are held accountable for their actions, and improving training for officers to perform their duties.
Unfortunately, Democrats in the Senate would rather play political games than pursue meaningful reform, and have blocked the consideration of Senator Scott’s bill. In response to Democrats’ procedural shenanigans, Sen. Scott stated: “They’re not serious about police reform. Instead, what they’re serious about is using police reform as a campaign issue this November. That is despicable.”
I can’t say I disagree.
There is work that needs to be done to reform our police system, but Democrats are making those bipartisan goals impossible. I find it sad that Pelosi would rather throw her weight behind legislation to appease her “base,” rather than work across the aisle to create meaningful change in this country. It is my hope that more productive discussions are ahead.
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BIG TECH CANNOT BECOME BIG BROTHER |
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While Democrats are concerned with ludicrous proposals like defunding the actual police, I think we need to focus on fighting the ‘thought police’ of social media.
We are in a culture war with those who seek to undermine our freedom. Social media conglomerates are on the cutting edge of this fight, and have taken advantage of our legal system for years.
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act was designed to give online companies legal protection from the content posted on their platforms. However, Facebook, Twitter and others have taken advantage of this immunity, and used it as a free pass to promote some users and silence others. Technology companies shouldn’t be able to put their thumb on the scale and reshape speech in our country. Features of this technology should apply equally to people, regardless of viewpoint.
The social media behemoths claim to not be ‘aggregators’ or ‘curators,’ but simply “platforms,” when the reality is, they’re going to do everything possible to stop the voters of this country from electing Donald Trump president. It is unfair, and it should be considered unfair no matter your political affiliation. Right now it’s liberals who are benefiting, but what if it were the other way around? I think we must ensure that we have fair, free debate in this country, and that our speech is not unfairly and unreasonably constrained by Silicon Valley.
Click HERE to listen to my podcast and get the full story.
If we are going to keep fighting for individual liberty, order, and justice, we need some tools of our own. I recently launched an account on Parler, a new social media platform designed to protect free speech no matter your political views.
Click HERE to follow me on Parler!
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| HONORING ESCO |
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On Monday, June 22, an awards ceremony was held this morning at NAS Pensacola to honor and award deputies involved in the NAS shooting on December 6, 2019. Six Escambia County Sheriff Office deputies were recognized: Sergeant Mike Hoyland, Deputy Matthew Keebler, Deputy Matthew Housam, Senior Deputy Grant Lopez, Deputy Jonathan Glass, and Deputy Matthew Tinch. All of us in Northwest Florida are grateful for these heroes!
For a video of the awards ceremony, please click here.
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| UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE RESOURCES |
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The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has taken great initiative in response to the economic impacts and job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, offered through the federal CARES Act and administered by DEO, provides up to 13 weeks of benefits to a claimant who has exhausted their Reemployment Assistance benefits.
Floridians will need to apply for PEUC benefits once the balance of their current claim is exhausted. Floridians who have already exhausted their benefits, or who have a Reemployment Assistance claim that expired after July 1, 2019, will also be able to apply.
- Click here for more information on PEUC applications.
- Click here for answers to frequently asked questions.
- Click here for information on available benefits.
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FLAG DELIVERIES |
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In an abundance of caution, we will be postponing flag deliveries until we can safely reopen our Washington, D.C. office, which I hope will be soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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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. This past week has been busy, dramatic, and wildly interesting — you won’t want to miss it!
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CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION |
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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.
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Gaetz in the News
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The Guardian — June 26, 2020
The secretive government agency planting ‘cyanide bombs’ across the US
In May 2019, DeFazio and Republican congressman Matt Gaetz re-introduced a bill, dubbed “Canyon’s Law”, that seeks to ban cyanide bombs nationwide. Jeff Merkley of Oregon has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
Northwest Florida Daily News — June 24, 2020
Gaetz: ‘Privilege’ arguments are racist
“I reject the notion of white privilege or black privilege or any other type of privilege,” he said. “We are all unified in one American privilege that we should be proud of and fight for with everything we have.”
Newsweek — June 23, 2020
Republicans Introduce Bill to Block Federal Funding to Cities, States Allowing Autonomous Zones
“Bishop is joined by three other co-sponsors of the bill: Ted Budd of North Carolina, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Andy Biggs of Arizona.”
Santa Rosa Press Gazette — June 19, 2020
Work continues to get second F-35 training squadron to Eglin
“A second F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighter jet squadron is expected to be stood up at Eglin Air Force Base next year, a move “which will effectively double our operation by 2022,” Col. Jon Wheeler, commander of the Eglin-based 33rd Fighter Wing, said this week. Wheeler spoke at an online defense issues forum convened Thursday via YouTube by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. He said the new squadron will bring an additional 24 aircraft and between 370 and 410 additional personnel to the base.”
Breitbart News — June 23, 2020
Trump Bucks GOP Establishment, Donor Class with Halt on Foreign Visa Worker Programs
“A minority of eight House and Senate Republicans — including Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Ted Cruz (R-TX); and Reps. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Mo Brooks (R-AL), and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) — sided with Trump in calling for less immigration to ensure unemployed Americans are given job priority over foreign visa workers.”
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