Hello, Friends —

This week, the House was not in session. Sadly, this has been a vast improvement compared to the dangerous and misguided legislation that Democrats have brought to the floor in recent weeks.

Even though the House was not voting this week, there were several committee hearings. The House Armed Services Committee, of which I am a member, held a hearing on “Extremism in the Military” — a ludicrous topic, designed to foster division between our fellow Americans.

Threats are growing all over the globe. Chinese military technology is closing the capability gap, North Korea is testing ballistic missiles, cartels are exploiting our porous border…and House Democrats want to target members of our military for ‘memes’ and constitutionally-protected speech. How ludicrous.

See more here:

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Nevertheless, although I disagreed with many of my colleagues (on both sides of the aisle) on the purported ‘merits’ of this hearing, that does not mean that bipartisanship no longer exists on Capitol Hill. It most certainly does! I am proud to work across the aisle on many different topics — from animal welfare to reforming Executive Branch war powers.

Many of the challenges facing America are generational in nature; populists of the left and right can and should work together for the good of the nation. On Thursday, March 25, I appeared on Fox News Primetime with my colleague and friend Ro Khanna (D-CA), to discuss bipartisanship, populism, and more. Watch it here:

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AROUND THE DISTRICT

OPEN GAETZ DAY

This upcoming Monday, March 29, I am exciting to be holding another Open Gaetz Day in the district. It’s going to be a busy, exciting day, and I hope you can participate! Please see the flyer above for more information, and to RSVP, please visit here.

VACCINE ELIGIBILITY FURTHER EXPANDED

On March 22, Executive Order 21 went into effect, making all individuals 50 and older eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Florida.

Florida’s vaccine supply is continuing to expand rapidly, and the age threshold for vaccines is quickly dropping. On Monday, March 29, all individuals over the age of 40 will be eligible to receive the vaccine, and beginning April 5, all Floridians over the age of 18 will be able to get the Covid vaccine if they choose to do so.

Individuals can pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by visiting myvaccine.fl.gov.

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

Finally, the number of participants in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program continues to grow. This program — a joint collaboration of the federal government, the state of Florida, and pharmacy partners — has helped to increase access to COVID-19 vaccination statewide. Appointments at retail pharmacy locations must be made through the pharmacy’s website. Find appointment information at participating pharmacies below:

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

Breitbart News — March 25, 2021

Matt Gaetz Rips Cancel Culture Coming for Conservative Members of the Military

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) ripped a House Armed Services Committee hearing on “extremism in the military” as “total nonsense.” “I represent the district that has the highest concentration of active-duty military in the country and respectfully it is on their behalf that I would characterize this hearing as ‘total nonsense,’” Gaetz said.

The American Conservative — March 20, 2021

The Florida Theory Of Republican Power

The Sunshine State has become a veritable home of the Grand Old Party in exile. Its regional breakdown could be taken as a simile for the various power centers of the party as a whole. First, you have the Panhandle, most prominently represented in Congress by Matt Gaetz. To devotees and critics alike, there was perhaps no more archetypal place in the country to hold one of the 45th president’s notorious rallies. “Only in the Panhandle you can get away with that statement,” the New York wheeler-dealer once replied to some incendiary saber-rattling from his throngs of supporters.

Fox News — March 19, 2021

Congressman Matt Gaetz Joins “Hannity” to Discuss Illegal Immigration (Video)

Rep. Matt Gaetz joined “Hannity” on Fox News, to discuss how the current crisis of the border was an intended consequence by Democrats, as well as the Biden administration’s plan to allow tens of thousands of immigrants into our country every day.

Newsmax — March 22, 2021

The Truth Behind “I Care a Lot” Is Terrible and Tragic

Guardianship and conservatorship abuse have been in the news a lot lately, with the personal plight of pop star Britney Spears shedding light on the issue. Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, even requested a U.S. House Judiciary hearing on the issue. But the scourge of guardianship abuse isn’t confined to Hollywood films and A-list superstars. Anyone can be a victim. I’ve seen it first-hand.

The Hill — March 24, 2021

Op-Ed from Rep. Matt Gaetz: President Biden, on special interest money are you more an ‘Obama,’ or a ‘Hillary?’

Now, to face the future, President Biden must answer a question about the past: are you more an “Obama” or a “Hillary?” Do you want to change the way Washington works, or revert to the mean of corruption and backroom dealing? Will special interests fund your coffers, your party, and your future? Will lobbyists run your White House?

Florida Daily — March 24, 2021

Marco Rubio, Matt Gaetz Want Navy Budget to Include New Air Traffic Control Tower at NAS Whiting Field

This week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., sent a letter to Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker asking that the Navy’s budget request include sufficient additional funding to construct a replacement air traffic control tower on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field’s North Airfield.