CONGRESSMAN MATT GAETZ: FORGET PACKAGES, USPS IS TRACKING YOU
On Tuesday, I published an op-ed on Newsmax regarding my legislation to abolish the clandestine surveillance program run by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). The USPIS has become the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service, enforcing laws that protect USPS employees, postal buildings, customers, and other crimes involving postal mail.
While it is true that the USPIS enjoys broad jurisdiction, it is disturbing that this institution has taken upon itself to expand beyond the scope of its mandate to implement what it calls the Internet Covert Operations Program, also known as iCOP.
This illegal and unconstitutional program combs through social media posts of Americans looking for politically charged or "inflammatory" material that it somehow may deem dangerous to its operations, then shares any such findings across government agencies.
Based on scarce public information, USPIS frames iCOP as a program to identify and reduce criminal misuse of the postal system. However, social media spying goes well beyond “misuse of the postal system.” This covert program raises concerns, not only because it’s outside the agency’s jurisdiction and a waste of taxpayer dollars, but also because it’s evidence of the rise in more government-sanctioned spying on its own citizens.
iCOP is outside USPIS’s jurisdiction and infringes on American citizens’ civil liberties. I disagree that taxpayers should fund yet another spying program in the federal government, much less one run by the mailman.
That is why I, along with nine colleagues—Reps Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Ken Buck (CO-04), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Scott Perry (PA-10), and Greg Steube (FL-17)—introduced the USPIS Surveillance Protection Act, a bill to defund iCOP.
NATIONAL PULSE: WE MUST DO BETTER THAN LIZ CHENEY
I penned an op-ed in The National Pulse this week about the unraveling of Liz Cheney’s destructive reign on the GOP conference. A vast majority of my Republican Congressional colleagues have arrived at the conclusion obvious to me as I stood on the steps of the state capitol in Cheyenne: Liz Cheney is not a leader in the modern Republican Party. She doesn’t speak for the Republican Conference, nor her own state.
Cheney has rejected Trump and his supporters throughout Congress and America because so many of them see her insincerity clearly. For the establishment it is all about power and control. They lost much of it during Trump’s tenure, and they view the Biden era as the perfect opportunity to reconstitute their influence at the expense of policy which could improve our lives.
We must inspire Americans to again rally to the America First principles President Trump so movingly brought to our politics. And we must do better than Liz Cheney.
CALLING OUT THE DEEP STATE AND ESTABLISHMENT ON AMERICA FIRST WITH DR. SEBASTIAN GORKA
On Monday, I joined “America First with Dr. Sebastian Gorka” on Salem Radio Network to discuss my recent legislation I introduced to abolish the U.S. Postal Service’s iCOP surveillance program. We also discussed Senator Ted Cruz joining my pledge to swear off all federal PAC money. Click here to listen to our interview.
On Thursday, I joined Dr. Gorka’s program again to give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the efforts to remove Liz Cheney as House GOP Conference Chair. Four months ago, I warned the GOP Conference that Cheney could not be a leader in the modern Republican Party as she embodies the America Last principles of yesteryear.
Although Rep. Elise Stefanik and I may not be as closely aligned as I am with President Donald Trump, I have great confidence that she will serve our conference to the best of her ability. She is a brilliant, well-prepared woman. America saw the best in her when she stood up in defense of President Trump against the Russia/Ukraine witch hunt. It is important to show that America First can be a broad movement where we embrace leaders who want to continue to advance the Republican brand, but we should also be comfortable expressing our disagreement. Without Liz Cheney as House Conference Chair, the future for our movement is bright! Click here to listen to our interview.
THE ROLE AND ORIGIN OF FOREIGN ENTITIES VIOLATING U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS
Click Here to Watch!
At a House Judiciary Committee hearing this week, I asked the Director of the U.S. Copyright Office Shira Perlmutter about trends of foreign entities infringing on American intellectual property. We must continue aggressive oversight to ensure China stays true in implementing the trade agreement struck under the Trump Administration. I urge the office of the U.S. Trade Representative to defend American copyrights!
REP. GAETZ SLAMS FALSE ACCUSATIONS AND MEDIA SMEAR CAMPAIGN ON NEWSMAX
Click Here to Watch!
On Thursday, I joined Grant Stinchfield on Newsmax to talk about the media’s blatant targeting of effective conservatives.
Following in the footsteps of totalitarian regimes throughout history, today’s big tech and big media are working in tandem to smear my name, tarnish our accomplishments, and weaponize apolitical organizations to silence those deemed a threat to their agenda. Firebrands don’t retreat, especially when the battle for the soul of our nation calls.
FACEBOOK UPHOLDS BAN OF PRESIDENT TRUMP
Facebook’s ‘kangaroo court’ decided to uphold the permanent ban of a former President of the United States on Wednesday. This is unfortunately not an entire surprise, given that Big Tech has targeted the MAGA movement from its conception. Regardless of where one stands politically, this decision is a disgrace to the foundation and principles of the United States of America. We are a country of freedom, liberty, and the right to express ourselves any way that we choose. Censorship is inherently un-American.
Section 230 allows today’s largest aggregators of information, social media platforms, to control what we see and hear, so they can ultimately control how we think. The terms of service on social media should not carry more weight and credibility than our God-given rights in the U.S. Constitution.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS CONFIDENT SKANSKA WILL MEET DEADLINE FOR THREE MILE BRIDGE REOPENING
I am pleased to see that the work among our office and local leaders in the district is coming to fruition. After viewing the construction situation for the Three Mile Bridge, Senator Doug Broxson, Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender, and Santa Rosa County Commissioner Dave Piech believe that Skanska will meet the May 31st deadline, according to a WEAR report. Although most agree that this project’s progress should have been catalyzed far sooner, I am ultimately glad our constituents will soon have access!
GOVERNOR DESANTIS PROVES FLORIDA IS THE MODEL FOR FREEDOM
This week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to immediately suspend all local COVID-19 emergency mandates throughout Florida. This action will also dissolve any remaining regulations that keep Florida from fully operating. Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 2006 into law, which will update the Florida local governments’ emergency powers effective July 1st, 2021. This will prevent any kind of long-term lockdowns and will require local governments to issue them in 7 day increments from now on.
Senate Bill 2006 will also permanently ban vaccine passports by prohibiting businesses, schools, and government agencies from requiring folks to show documentation of COVID-19 vaccinations.
I couldn’t agree more with the exceptional leadership from Governor DeSantis. Now that Florida has made vaccines substantially available for those who want them, it’s time to keep the Sunshine State open for business. While states such as New York and California continue to fail and rely on Biden bailouts, Floridians know the best economic stimulus comes from open business and freedom!
2021 VIRTUAL ACADEMY NIGHT
Click Here to RSVP!
Congressman Matt Gaetz will virtually host his annual military academy night on May 24th, 2021 at 6:30pm CT. Our team and academy representatives will give informational insight on the academy application and nominations process. Tune in to our YouTube channel to view the event in real-time. To receive updates via email about this online event, RSVP today at VAN2021.eventbrite.com.
STIMULUS CHECK ASSISTANCE
As we are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries on stimulus checks, here are some resources regarding those frequently asked questions:
The Get My Payment tool is the primary way to review the status of your stimulus payment if you qualify. For more information about Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), please review this page by the IRS.
If you have experienced issues receiving your 1st or 2nd stimulus check, the IRS requests that you file a tax return for 2020 and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, even if you do not normally qualify to file. Veterans and social security recipients can visit this page to begin the process of receiving one or both stimulus payments.
Currently, this is the only method of communication with the IRS available to resolve any issues with the first two stimulus payments. With all other issues related to the IRS, we can submit an inquiry on your behalf to the Taxpayer Advocacy Service (TAS). However, TAS does not accept inquiries concerning EIPs at this time. Please follow the Recover Rebate Credit process to notify the IRS of your missing payment.
CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT
When our office is able to help veterans get the care they deserve after bravely serving our country, the reward is immeasurable.
Bill, a veteran in our district, contacted our office in hopes of receiving his service medical records while the National Personnel Records Center was facing a backlog. His financial situation called for him to begin the process of filing for benefits. He told us about how his previous applications for VA disabilities were continually denied and wanted a private physician to confirm his disability.
With a core understanding of how the VA disability services function, our caseworkers were able to guide Bill towards the proper application to improve his chances of acceptance. After 4 weeks of review, the VA finally approved his request. Bill will now receive free healthcare and prescription medication for the rest of his life!
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Small businesses have been devastated this past year by coronavirus-related restrictions and regulations. Under the Trump Administration, COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) were created to help keep businesses that were experiencing loss of revenue afloat.
Kathryn, a constituent in our district, owned two businesses that qualified for EIDLs but were denied by the Small Business Administration (SBA). With time being of the essence, every day without the essential EIDLs was one step closer to permanent foreclosure. Inquiring on her behalf, our office learned a clerical error by the SBA mistook her two applications for separate businesses as duplicates, which led to its initial rejection. After we flagged this error to the SBA, both of her EIDLs for her two businesses were approved!
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
The National Pulse — May 6, 2021
EXC – Rep. Matt Gaetz: ‘We MUST Do Better Than Liz Cheney’.
"Now, a vast majority of my Republican Congressional colleagues have arrived at the conclusion obvious to me as I stood on the steps of the state capitol in Cheyanne: Liz Cheney is not a leader in the modern Republican Party.
She doesn’t speak for the Republican Conference, nor her own state."
Newsmax — May 5, 2021
Rep. Matt Gaetz to Newsmax TV: They 'Come for the Fighters'
"Gaetz said no women have come forward alleging wrongdoing, and the FBI and Justice Department have made no charges, nor leaked any evidence of criminality, despite a long-running investigation.
Gaetz said his record remains clean, despite efforts to tar conservatives and Trump supporters."
Newsmax — May 4, 2021
Rep. Matt Gaetz: Forget Packages, USPS Is Tracking You
"The Surveillance State is adding yet another spyglass to its collection of creeping tools and supplies. Running clandestine domestic surveillance programs on Americans’ social media activity is not aligned with the role, duty, and scope of the USPIS."
Washington Examiner — May 3, 2021
Matt Gaetz says USPS 'covert operations program' is 'classic government'
"Matt Gaetz says the U.S. Postal Service should not be keeping tabs on citizens' lives.
The Florida Republican told former Trump White House adviser Sebastian Gorka the recent reports of a program known as the Internet Covert Operations Program, which involves analysts combing through social media sites looking for “inflammatory” postings and then sharing those posts with government agencies, demonstrates that a "deep state" exists within the federal government." |
