Hello, Friends —

After the House Democrats executed their plan to pave the way for $3.5 Trillion in Federal spending, I couldn’t imagine this week could get any worse for Americans. Unfortunately, it did. The Biden crisis in Afghanistan is continuing to get worse, and now even ISIS is involved.

10 Marines and 3 U.S. service members have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We will not forget them and we will not forget their heroic commitment to the United States of America. Please keep these individuals and their families in your prayers and remember that they were in Afghanistan for you, me, and all Americans everywhere to keep the freedoms we cherish and enjoy. 

We must hold people accountable for this tragedy. Joe Biden, General Mark Milley, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin could have and should have prevented these deaths. 

In addition to this news, below is our week in review:

KABUL AIRPORT BOMBING

Yesterday, large explosions erupted in a crowd of people outside the Kabul, Afghanistan airport, killing many and wounding at least 140 people. The reported numbers on casualties and injuries are frequently changing, but it has been confirmed that 13 U.S. service members died from this attack. We must hold those responsible for this tragedy accountable.

The Biden administration’s lack of plan is more than embarrassing at this point; it is costing American lives. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have attended classified briefings and continue to monitor this situation.

WEAR-TV INTERVIEW

On Thursday, I conducted a phone interview with WEAR-TV Channel 3, where I relayed the efforts and hard work that the FL-1 district office is doing to aid Americans and allies who are evacuating Afghanistan. This bloodshed absolutely could have been prevented. The withdrawal was botched when General Mark Milley, Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Joe Biden believed that this army of "300,000 Afghans"  would effectively resist the Taliban. No way.

Click Here to Watch

HOUSE PASSES BIDEN'S SOCIALIST TAX AND SPENDING SPREE

As inflation continues to spiral out of control, the Biden Democrats in the House have granted the Senate permission to start their $3.5 Trillion spending frenzy. There will be more to come, but you can be assured that killing American jobs, increasing taxes on Americans, amnesty for illegal immigrants, expanded Medicare, and other Socialist spending items are on the docket.

I voted NO on this measure, but Socialist Senator Chuck Schumer will move forward with the process in the Senate, which will not require a single Republican vote to pass. At this point, we hope that moderate Senators Joe Manchin or Kristen Sinema will stand up to their naive Democrat colleagues.

EPISODE 4 OF FIREBRAND WITH MATT GAETZ IS AVAILABLE NOW

The latest episode of Firebrand With Matt Gaetz is available RIGHT NOW! In Episode 4, I examine how John Durham's investigation into the origins of the Russia Hoax fell flat, the ATF Director nominee David Chipman's plan to ban AR-15s, the FBI’s use of  Thought Crimes to target Nick Fuentes, and much more!

Be sure to watch this episode on Rumble or any other streaming platforms!

Click Here to Watch!

REP. GAETZ JOINS THE VICTORY CHANNEL TO DISCUSS THE AFGHANISTAN CRISIS AND DEMOCRAT $3.5 TRILLION IN SPENDING

Click Here to Watch!

Click Here to Watch!

PROTECTING EMPLOYEES FROM MANDATORY VACCINES

Congressman Andy Biggs introduced a bill that would prohibit entities that received COVID-19 relief funds from forcing their employees to get the COVID vaccine. It seems like every day there are new reports of cities, states, school districts, businesses, and other entities mandating that their employees get vaccinated.  This bill would require any entity that received COVID relief funds to return the funds if they mandate vaccination.

Click Here to Read the Bill!

AROUND THE DISTRICT

TROPICAL STORM APPROACHES NW FLORIDA

Track the Storm Here

Conditions are constantly changing, but currently, Tropical Storm Ida could hit the Louisiana coast as a Category 3 hurricane this Sunday. It is important to remember that the pathway of this storm system can change at any point. 

Please continue to monitor Ida, as a dangerous storm surge is likely to come to Northwest Florida.

Click Here to visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website, where you can find more information and tips for hurricane preparedness.

CLOSURES PLANNED FOR 17TH AVENUE NEAR THE PENSACOLA BAY BRIDGE

Both north and southbound lanes on 17th Avenue will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30. The temporary closures will allow crews to work on the 17th Avenue tie-in to the new interchange that is under construction at the foot of the Pensacola Bay Bridge. 

During the closures, southbound traffic on 17th Avenue will be detoured to 14th Avenue using East Belmont Street. Pensacola Bay Bridge traffic destined for 17th Avenue northbound will be detoured to Ninth Avenue.

Click Here for Updates on the Road Closures

PETER PRINCE FIELD AWARDED DOT GRANT

I am excited to announce that the Peter Prince Airport will benefit from a $1,049,306 federal grant from the Department of Transportation. This money will help rehabilitate the airport’s taxiway, thus facilitating improved and more efficient transportation for Northwest Florida residents!

Click Here to View the Grant Award!

WHAT WE'RE READING

The Hill — August 27, 2021

The Memo: Horror in Kabul is political disaster for Biden

Bannon’s War Room — August 25, 2021

Dark Element to Persecution of Jan. 6th Prisoners

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

WEAR-TV — August 27, 2021

Rep. Gaetz working on getting Americans out of Afghanistan

"Gaetz said his office is working on at least 100 similar cases. He added his office has been contacted by active duty that have advocated for interpreters."

Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire — August 26, 2021

Gaetz Says He’s Doing Advance Work for Trump

"Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) told Vanity Fair that both he and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) have spoken with former President Donald Trump about their joint national tour to attack Trump’s critics."

Washingtonian — August 25, 2021

Britney Spears and DC: A History

"House Judiciary Committee members Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan present a request for the committee to hold a hearing on abuse in court-ordered conservatorships, highlighting Britney’s situation as an example. No such hearing has yet been announced."