Hello, Friends —

While Congress has been out of session this week, I attended a 7th Special Forces group memorial ceremony, I've continued efforts to push legislation prohibiting Critical Race Theory, and I continued to push against the misguided priorities of the Pentagon. Here’s our week in review: 

AROUND THE DISTRICT

3rd BN, 7th SPECIAL FORCES GROUP CEREMONY

7th Special Forces group held a memorial ceremony today, honoring 22 Fallen Soldiers from 7th Special Forces Group that paid the ultimate sacrifice during conflict.  The 7th Group memorialized the fallen by planting a tree for each Soldier with a placard for the Soldier by the tree.  

The 7th Special Forces also honored three Soldiers for Valor today. (SFC) Sergeant First Class Zachary Bryan received the Bronze Star with Valor device,  (MSG) Master Sergeant Andres Martinez and (SFC) Sergeant First Class Erik Stillinger both received the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device.  All three received awards for distinguished valor against enemy forces in Afghanistan.

I was in attendance, in addition to Major General (MG) John Brennan, Special Forces Commander, Fort Bragg, NC, Colonel  (COL) John Sannes, the 7th Special Forces Commander and Gold Star Family Members.

COAST GUARD RESCUES FOUR CAPSIZED BOATERS NEAR DESTIN

I am thankful and delighted to see that the United States Coast Guard has once again saved the lives of our fellow Americans. Moments like these allow us to recognize how lucky we all are to have an effective, powerful Coast Guard and why they deserve the utmost respect.

Click Here to Read the Press Release!

2021 CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE

Since June 25, students in Florida’s First district have been eligible to register for the Congressional App Challenge! All interested students in the district are encouraged to participate by registering, designing, and submitting their apps before November 1st, 2021. For more information on this year’s Congressional App Challenge please visit the website or view this document. I wish everyone the best of luck and hope that our brightest minds decide to submit their apps!

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GOP HASC MEMBERS SLAM DOD PRIORITIES AS CHINA AND RUSSIA RISE

Recently, at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on wokeness in the military, I sparred with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley over the Pentagon’s acceptance of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and its creeping influence in the military.

As I told The Spectator, only a Benedict Arnold would surrender the Pentagon to the Woketopia without a fight. We should leave the CRT curriculum books in Kabul when the last U.S. plane pulls up its landing gear on the way out.

Click Here Read the Article!

REP. GAETZ COSPONSORS BILL PROHIBITING YOUR DOLLARS FROM PROMOTING CRT

H.R. 3046, introduced by Rep. Mark Green (TN-07), would prohibit military service academies from enforcing any sort of mandatory training based on Critical Race Theory. As I have mentioned many times, we send our best and brightest to military service academies so they can be educated and trained to defend our great nation – not so they can be indoctrinated in divisive ideologies that teach people to hate America and our fellow countrymen.

Click Here to Read the Bill!

WHAT WE'RE READING

The Hill — July 8, 2021

Biden defends Afghanistan withdrawal, says Taliban takeover 'highly unlikely

The New Yorker — July 3, 2021

Britney Spears’s Conservatorship Nightmare

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

Vice News — July 5, 2021

Matt Gaetz Has a Wild New Plan to Make Trump President Again

"Gaetz promised a Speaker Donald Trump would 'impeach Joe Biden' and get the GOP back into the White House."

The Spectator — July 4, 2021

Is critical race theory in the US military ‘dangerous’?

"GOP House Armed Services Committee members slam Defense Department priorities as China and Russia rise."

The Post Millenial — July 3, 2021

WATCH: Rep. Matt Gaetz vows he'll vote to nominate Trump to be next Speaker of the House

"Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) vowed that he'll vote to nominate former President Donald Trump to be the next Speaker of the House if the GOP retakes Congress."

Newsweek — July 3, 2021

Matt Gaetz Says He'll Nominate Donald Trump to Be Next Speaker of the House

"Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz said he will nominate former President Donald Trump to be the next House Speaker on Saturday at a Trump rally in Sarasota, Florida."