Hello, Friends —
This week, the GOP's leadership in Congress, known as the Republican Conference, united to ensure that America First is the leading vision of our party going forward. The Establishment has been on full throttle to maintain their corrupt power dynamics in Washington, but I will continue to expose and fight against them.
REP. LIZ CHENEY REMOVED FROM GOP LEADERSHIP POST
On Wednesday, House Republicans joined my battle and removed Rep. Liz Cheney from her position as Conference Chair, a leadership position that speaks on behalf of all House GOP members.
Three months ago, I called for Rep. Cheney's removal from Conference Chair because she was no longer capable of serving in that capacity. We need to focus on the socialist Democrats who are tearing our country apart, not on disparaging President Trump.
Rep. Elise Stefanik would be a far better Conference Chair than never-Trumper Liz Cheney ever was. Rep. Stefanik will put the interests of the Republican Party above her own ideological leanings. The future direction of the conference is beginning to shine.
Immediately after the GOP Conference voted to oust Rep. Cheney, I spoke with Steve Bannon on War Room: Pandemic to discuss what transpired behind closed doors and where the GOP goes from here.
Click Here to Watch!
“Liz Cheney is the masthead for the Establishment in Washington, D.C.” -Rep. Matt Gaetz
REP. GAETZ DISCUSSES LIZ CHENEY’S OUSTER
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“It is untenable to have an America Last establishment politician like Liz Cheney as the spokesperson of our movement.” -Rep. Matt Gaetz on Stinchfield
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“Liz Cheney is less popular in Wyoming than Muammar Gaddafi was in Libya at the time of his ouster.” -Rep. Matt Gaetz on The Joe Pags Show
COLONIAL PIPELINE RANSOMWARE ATTACK
On Friday, May 7th, Colonial Pipeline—the largest pipeline system for refined oil products in the United States—fell victim to a ransomware attack that halted its operations across the country. DarkSide, a hacker-for-hire group, infected the back-office operations of the pipeline with malware that could only be removed with a decryption tool created by the hacker group. Colonial Pipeline then shut down all of its control systems in a preemptive move to stop further infection of malware, but the damage was already done. 5,550 miles of pipeline were shut down and has resulted in widespread effects on the Eastern Seaboard, a region where Colonial Pipeline is responsible for transporting 45% of the fuel consumed.
On War Room: Pandemic, I also spoke with Steve Bannon on how Joe Biden is being tested by foreign adversaries all over the word. The ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline proves just how underprepared America’s cybersecurity defense is and how unprepared Joe Biden is to protect the country against them. Click here to watch our full discussion.
GAS SHORTAGE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS PENSACOLA
As of Wednesday, May 12, Pensacola remains one of the most devastated areas. 73% of gas stations in the city were inoperable. This is undoubtedly an extreme headache for Northwest Florida, but the local gas supply should be improving soon. County Administrator Janice Gilley and Emergency Management Director Eric Gilmore said the TransMontaigne terminal in Pensacola is now operational and will slowly return to normal. We are closely monitoring events as they unfold and will keep everyone in the district up to date on the latest news.
GOVERNOR DESANTIS RESPONDS TO GAS SHORTAGE
On Tuesday evening, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a gasoline-related state of emergency, reserving the right to activate the Florida National Guard as needed. Governor DeSantis promptly declared, "the disruption of Colonial Pipeline operations poses a significant and immediate threat to the continued delivery of such fuel products to the State of Florida." Governor DeSantis’ state of emergency also loosens restrictions on the permissible size and weight of loads on vehicles that are supporting emergency relief efforts by transporting gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products in Florida.
REP. GAETZ COSPONSORS THE RIFLE ACT
This week, I cosponsored the Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises (RIFLE) Act introduced by my colleague Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-01) and supported by the National Rifle Association. Under current law, there is a $200 tax on the transfer and purchase of firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act. This legislation would remove this overreaching tax on firearms sold to law-abiding gun owners. I agree with Rep. Hinson’s statement on the bill:
"The federal government should not be placing financial barriers on the inalienable rights of Americans. This unconstitutional tax on certain firearm purchases is a direct violation of the Second Amendment and must be repealed. As the Biden Administration and Democrats push proposals that unfairly target law-abiding gun owners, I will continue to stand up for [Americans’] right to keep and bear arms."
AROUND THE DISTRICT
PARDONS FOR ALL FLORIDIANS CHARGED WITH VIOLATING COVID-19 MANDATES
Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Fox News this week that he will pardon any Floridian with charges and convictions related to mask mandate violations and social distancing regulations. Governor DeSantis correctly told Laura Ingraham that penalizing individuals for making their own decision is “a total overreach” and COVID-19 health recommendations should be advisory, not punitive.
Americans are free to follow CDC guidelines if they choose to do so, but penalizing those who choose otherwise is tyrannical.
PACE HIGH SCHOOL JROTC DRILL TEAM AWARD CEREMONY
As you may remember, I highlighted Pace High School’s JROTC Drill Team for their accomplishment in winning a national drill competition. This week, they received their first place awards! Their drill team beat more than 600 schools across the nation at the Navy Nationals Academic, Athletic and Drill Competition to earn this incredible achievement. My office’s Director of Military Affairs presented the students with their trophies and certificates. Northwest Florida is extremely proud of these students and their excellence. I wish these young leaders all the best as they continue to win in life.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
The Post Millennial — May 14, 2021
BREAKING: Liz Cheney voted out of leadership role by House GOP
"Rep. Cheney's record doesn't stand with the party. This is a party that wants to stop endless wars, wants an immigration and economic policy that supports the America First agenda. This is a party that gave President Trump over 90 percent of their vote, and she made it her personal mission to fight against him, support the left-wing media’s narratives, and spit in the eye of every Republican who voted for him and supported his agenda."
Washington Examiner — May 12, 2021
EXCLUSIVE: Matt Gaetz net approval positive with few voters believing allegations
"Rep. Matt Gaetz might be fighting firestorms in the national news and in Congress over a federal investigation into stories about his sexual history, but outrage over the allegations is not landing with voters in his home district, according to a poll commissioned by his campaign."
WHAT WE'RE READING
Meet Bishop Garrison: The Pentagon’s Hatchet Man in Charge of Purging MAGA Patriots and Installing Race Theory in The Military
"On February 3, 2021, in the wake of the “deadly events” of 1/6, Biden’s new Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a 60-day stand-down and total purge of the U.S. military’s rampant, undefined “extremism” problem. Though the details of this purge were always kept vague and framed in apolitical terms, it was immediately obvious the target would be MAGA — with the buzzword “extremism” tagged onto various proxies for Trump supporters, conservatives, and opponents of globalism of all stripes." |
