Hello, Friends —

This week, Senate Democrats proved that they would rather play political games than help Americans in need. Instead of working with Republicans, Democrats chose to filibuster legislation that would allow small businesses and workers to access unspent money in the Paycheck Protection Program.

Republicans’ bill would have allowed small businesses and workers in need of assistance to have the opportunity to access roughly $138 billion in unspent funds that Congress has already appropriated for the Paycheck Protection Program.

Just like House Democrats — who have blocked House Republicans’ attempts to pass similar legislation 39 times — Senate Democrats blocked this common-sense bill from coming to a vote.

In other news, the Justice Department has, at long last, filed a lawsuit against Google for electioneering and monopolistic practices. Even though the suit is narrow, I am glad that Big Tech is finally beginning to be held accountable.

For more information, see also:

AP News — October 20, 2020

Justice Dept. files landmark antitrust case against Google

SBA RESOURCES

The SBA is working hard to help businesses and families recover from Hurricane Sally, and has approved more than $11 million in disaster loans in Florida.

The SBA has opened Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in Okaloosa County and in Escambia County. SBA representatives at the Center can provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and assist businesses in completing the SBA application.

The addresses of the BRCs are:

Okaloosa County Business Recovery Center
Bridgeway Center, Building C
205 Shell Ave.
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Hours: Sunday-Saturday (7 days a week) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CST)

and

Escambia County Business Recovery Center
East Pensacola Heights Clubhouse
3208 East Gonzalez St.
Pensacola, FL 32503
Hours: Sunday-Saturday (7 days a week) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CST)

For more information, please visit here.

ARE YOU LISTENING?

Listen to my podcast, “Hot Takes with Matt Gaetz,” for a behind-the-scenes look into the latest news. With the final presidential debate now in our rear-view mirror, there’s a whole lot to discuss!

CONTACT INFORMATION

The following are web sites and contact information for various federal and state agencies:

Escambia County:

County Website
Escambia County Zone Map
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bereadyec/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/myescambia

Holmes County:

County Website
Holmes County Emergency Management
Facebook: Holmes County Emergency Management
Twitter: @HCSO_FL

Okaloosa County:

Santa Rosa County:

Walton County:

Traffic and road information:

CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION

As Florida continues reopening its economy, below is further information public health information for 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:

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

Washington Examiner — October 19, 2020

Matt Gaetz is Trump’s main man on cable news and on the floor of the House

Rep. Matt Gaetz is one of President Trump’s most steadfast defenders on cable news. The second-term Florida Republican can frequently be seen on the airwaves pushing back against the Russia investigation or supporting economic reopening amid the coronavirus. Gaetz, 38, may also be the closest thing to a full-spectrum ideological “Trumpist” in Congress.

Washington Times — October 21, 2020

House resolutions clearing leakers Snowden and Assange gain third co-sponsor in sole Libertarian

Rep. Matt Gaetz, Florida Republican, co-sponsored the Snowden resolution with Ms. Gabbard when it was introduced in September and had been its only other supporter before Mr. Amash signed on. More recently, Rep. Thomas Massie, Kentucky Republican, co-sponsored the Assange resolution when Ms. Gabbard offered it earlier this month. They are its only co-sponsors besides Mr. Amash. President Trump, a Republican, previously called Mr. Snowden a “traitor” and suggested he should be executed for leaking secrets about the NSA’s vast surveillance operations and abilities. Mr. Trump revealed in August he was open to pardoning Mr. Snowden, however. Mr. Gaetz, a close ally to the president, subsequently called publicly for the president to follow through.

Breitbart News — October 16, 2020

Gaetz: ‘Biden Can’t Be the Commander-in-Chief — He Can Barely Be the Commander of a Sentence’

Thursday on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) offered his reaction to the dueling town halls for President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

Florida Politics — October 17, 2020

Matt Gaetz, Greg Steube swear off donations from Big Tech

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz said he will refuse all such donations, and he called on all lawmakers to do the same. “My congressional colleagues should join me in refusing all PAC money from Big Tech,” the Panhandle Republican tweeted. “Until that happens, Congress will not do anything about major tech platforms’ censorship because they are bought off by Big Tech.”