Hello, Friends — 

There was no shortage of excitement in Washington this week. Brace yourselves for even more — Special Counsel Robert Mueller is coming next week to testify in the House Judiciary Committee. I have a lot of questions for him! But let’s take things one week at a time…

This week in the Judiciary Committee, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle spoke at length about the humanitarian crisis on our southern border. But they haven’t always felt that it was, in fact, a crisis. When I played back one of their statements from a few months ago, it elicited some strong reactions.

Watch below:

Click to Play!

With immigration continuing to be such an important issue facing our country, it bears repeating that I strongly support legal immigration — it is something which has always been, and will always be, an integral part of our great nation. Legal immigration strengthens our country, and reminds us all that America is not bound by race or religion or creed. As Americans, whether long-established or newly-arrived, we are bound instead by a mutual respect for our Constitution, our representative democracy, and our nation. Those who come here legally are welcome with open arms.

Illegal immigration, on the other hand, is harmful our country. It trivializes our laws, hinders the people waiting to come to America legally, depresses wages, and more. Congress must do more to curb the ever-increasing flow of illegal immigrants, while making sure that legal immigrants have every opportunity to pursue the American dream.

Ending Animal Cruelty at the EPA

This week, Andrew Wheeler, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced a plan to get rid of a huge amount of unnecessary and cruel animal tests. As a fiscal conservative and an animal lover, I have been working to end wasteful spending on animal testing ever since I first came to Congress, and this is a huge step in the right direction! 

I applaud Administrator Wheeler for his plan to phase out these tests, and I will continue working to ensure that other agencies and departments follow suit.

Read more:

Townhall — July 12, 2019

Kudos to EPA for Targeting Taxpayer-funded Fake Science

On the House Floor

This week was a busy week in the House. Many of the bills brought to a vote were terrible, though there were a few bright spots, including a very good anti-wildlife-trafficking bill from my colleague, friend, and fellow Floridian Vern Buchanan. 

Another notable highlight was that the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act’s “Cadillac Tax,” an unfair tax on employers who provided employees with certain types of insurance plans. It’s rare for any bill dealing with Obamacare to be bipartisan, but this bill — which I cosponsored — passed 419 to 6. I hope the Senate will pass it quickly!

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Pensacola Airport Receives Grant

On Thursday, the Economic Development Administration announced a $12.25 million grant for a training and maintenance facility at Pensacola International Airport. Once again, the Trump Administration has invested in a big way for Northwest Florida. This project will make the Pensacola Airport a hub of activity for training our nation’s future pilots, creating more jobs for Floridians, and generating many more indirect high-demand, high-paying jobs in the aviation and aerospace industry. I’m thrilled by the continued growth in our community, and thanks to the strong leadership from Mayor Grover Robinson, the City of Pensacola, and the Board of Triumph Gulf Coast, I’m confident this growth will continue long into the future. 

Volunteer Firefighter Chief of the Year 

Congratulations to our very own Robbie Whitefield of Pace for being selected as Florida Firefighter Volunteer Chief of the Year! Your service and dedication to our community makes Northwest Florida a better place. We thank you for keeping us and our neighbors safe when tragedy strikes.

Honoring our WWII Veterans in the Air

Photo Credit: Jody Link ([email protected])

Last Friday, over 15 veterans took to the air in vintage military airplanes during the annual Veterans Flight. We thank these heroes for their incredible service to our country, and for making our community proud. I’m glad we can honor them in such a special way.

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

Florida Daily — July 15, 2019

Florida Republican Congressmen Focus On Environmental Problems

“Last week, two Republicans in the Florida delegation focused on environmental issues, launching an new caucus and showcasing efforts to combat climate change.”

BizPaz Review — July 12, 2019 

Matt Gaetz plays damning audio of Dem Rep Clyburn laughing, denying border crisis

“Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz slammed Democrats for repeatedly denying there’s a crisis at the US-Mexico border and took aim at top Democrat Jim Clyburn for derisively laughing while denying the humanitarian crisis and national-security emergency.”

The Daily Caller — July 16, 2019

‘I’m Coming After You’: Matt Gaetz Shares A Horrible Death Threat With Tucker Carlson

“Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has been receiving death threats along with being attacked by Antifa, and went on ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight’ Tuesday to share some of his experiences.”

The Walton Sun — July 11, 2019

Gaetz Wants to Honor Last Doolittle Raider

“Rep. Matt Gaetz is working to get an honorary posthumous promotion for Lt. Col. Dick Cole, one of the 80 Army Air Force aviators who participated in daring bombing raid on Japan in the early months of World War II.”