THE EQUALITY ACT: DAMAGING AND DANGEROUS
On Thursday, the House voted on H.R. 5 — the inaccurately-named “Equality Act,” which passed 224 to 206. I voted no. While I strongly oppose anti-LGBTQ bigotry and discrimination, the Equality Act would cause more harm than good. This terrible bill greatly harms women’s rights nationwide, while also curtailing American citizens’ Constitutional liberties.
This legislation hurts women. H.R. 5 would force women to share bathrooms, locker rooms, showers, and sleeping facilities with biological males who choose to identify as females.
Religious freedom will suffer. H.R. 5 exempts its provisions from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), thus forcing individuals into abiding by rules fundamentally opposed to their sincerely held beliefs under penalty of law.
The Equality Act undermines women’s sports. Fleshing out President Biden’s terrible Executive Order on the subject, H.R. 5 would permit biological men to compete in women’s competition, placing them at an unfair advantage, and destroying the spirit of sport. It would harm biological women vying for sports scholarships, restricting their access to higher education.
Parents would be forced to succumb to government oversight of children suffering from gender dysphoria, undermining the family unit and stripping them of their fundamental parental rights.
The Equality Act would require medical doctors to perform sexual reassignment surgeries even if doing so violates their sincerely held beliefs — in contravention of decades of established law.
Discourse would be silenced. This bill would further encroach on the First Amendment by silencing free speech and limiting public discourse on gender, faith, and marriage.
This legislation would fundamentally alter our society in ways that are harmful for religious liberty, individual liberty, and the family unit. I hope that the Senate will not take up this disastrous bill.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
NAS WHITING FIELD UPDATE
On Thursday, February 25, it was my pleasure to host a virtual event, where NAS Whiting Field’s military mission, training programs, and new training aircraft were all discussed. Thanks to everyone who tuned in!
If you missed it, the video is below:
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CORONAVIRUS VACCINE APPOINTMENTS
On Friday, January 29, the State of Florida announced the launch of a statewide preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointment for eligible individuals: people 65 and older, frontline health care workers, and long-term care facility residents and staff.
Individuals can pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by visiting myvaccine.fl.gov.
This website will allow individuals who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to be proactively contacted when vaccine appointments are available at state-supported vaccination sites. On the site, residents can select their county and submit their contact information. Once appointments are available, individuals will be contacted by phone call, text or email and will be assisted in scheduling an appointment.
Additionally, as part of the statewide registration system, each county has a designated phone number that individuals can call and pre-register if they do not have Internet access. The complete list of numbers is available here, and local numbers are below:
- Escambia County: 866-201-1025
- Okaloosa County: 866-200-3599
- Santa Rosa County: 866-201-7110
- Walton County: 866-201-3054
- Holmes County: 866-201-3925
On January 21, State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees issued a Public Health Advisory prioritizing vaccine in Florida for Florida residents. (The public health advisory is here). Please remember to bring proof of residency for any appointment.
LOCAL COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION
Eighteen Publix supermarkets across Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties have begun administering COVID-19 vaccines to residents 65 and older. Each location can administer 100-125 vaccine shots per day.
You must sign up for an appointment to receive a COVID vaccine shot. Please visit http://publix.com/covidvaccine for more information.
Veterans in Northwest Florida can schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine through the Pensacola Veterans Affairs Clinic. Additionally, the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System’s Joint Ambulatory Care Center in Pensacola will host drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday for eligible veterans. So will the Biloxi Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Mississippi. Veterans interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine during either the Biloxi or Pensacola events can register by calling 1-800-296-8872. For more information, see also:
WEAR-TV — February 10, 2021
Biloxi, Pensacola VA facilities to host drive-thru COVID vaccinations
Finally, Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines through the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program on Feb. 12, 2021. More than 1,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in 22 states, including 6 in Northwest Florida, are receiving federal vaccine allocations this week, with an emphasis on locations that reach customers in underserved communities with limited access to health care.
For a complete list of Walmart and Sam’s Club stores offering the vaccine, as well as more information, please visit here.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
BizPac Review — February 22, 2021
Gaetz: Establishment GOP working hard to take party away from Trump-inspired ‘America First wing’
Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz said Sunday that the GOP was now solidly a pro-President Donald Trump party, and that rank-and-file voters have no interest in going back to “losing politely” with so-called “establishment” candidates.
Florida Politics — February 24, 2021
Matt Gaetz, Scott Franklin, Stephanie Murphy and Michael Waltz: Florida’s National Guard — our understaffed heroes
We are grateful to every American who volunteers to serve our country at home or abroad. Service can take many different forms. For thousands of Floridians, membership in the Florida National Guard is their patriotic contribution to their communities and to our country. As Members of Congress from Florida — of both political parties — who sit on the House Armed Services Committee, it is our duty to ensure these brave citizen-soldiers and citizen-airmen have the resources they need to complete their assigned missions.
Tampa Bay 10 — February 23, 2021
Instead of scrapping the USS Bonhomme Richard, Florida lawmakers want it for a reef
Some of the signatories include Republican lawmakers Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan and Matt Gaetz, plus Democrats Charlie Crist, Val Demings and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
The Daily Wire — February 22, 2021
Trump To Make Clear He’s ‘Still In Charge’ Of Republican Party At CPAC: Report
Cheney, the third-ranking Republican in the House, was an early GOP critic of Trump’s actions on Jan. 6 and faced blowback in her state as well as from prominent Republicans such as Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Trump’s son, Donald Jr. While some outspoken Republicans called for Cheney to be ousted from her House leadership position, she ultimately kept her spot in a 145-61 vote.
WHAT WE’RE READING
Just The News — February 25, 2021
Once-secret FBI informant reports reveal wider-ranging operation to spy on Trump campaign
WEAR-TV — February 24, 2021
Navy to sample drinking water wells near NAS Whiting Field in Santa Rosa County
The Epoch Times — February 25, 2021
Democrats Accept 2 of 286 Amendments Sought by Republicans for $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Stimulus Bill
Northwest Florida Daily News — February 25, 2021
VPS welcomes Southwest Airlines, adding direct flights to Nashville, Chicago and more
WEAR-TV — February 22, 2021
Families of 3 sailors killed in NAS Pensacola attack suing Saudi Arabia
The Epoch Times — February 25, 2021
Leaked Emails Confirm UN Gave Names of Dissidents to CCP
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