Hello, Friends

Thursday marked the end of “open hearings” in the House Intelligence Committee. The Democrats have called all of their star witnesses to testify, and now that the circus has come to an end, it’s clear that nothing discussed warrants impeachment. Most of the witnesses only had second-, third-, or fourth-hand information, and the testimonies have all been heavy on feelings and thoughts, but woefully light on facts.

Since Donald Trump was elected, the Democrats have been devising plans to oust America’s duly-elected President. Watch a recap below:

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Impeachment Hearings

Here are my main takeaways from this week’s hearings:

The ‘Ukraine Hoax’ has been little more than a policy disagreement about the Ukraine. Career diplomats testified that they didn’t agree on President Trump’s approach to foreign aid to a notoriously corrupt country. Meanwhile, President Trump was skeptical that Ukrainian President Zelensky would follow through on the reforms he promised. In the end, however, the President provided the Ukrainians with lethal aid to help fight against Russia something President Obama never did and foreign aid money was delivered.

This week, Democrats and the mainstream media hailed Ambassador Gordon Sondland’s testimony as a “bombshell.” In the end, however, Sondland’s testimony exonerated the President. Ambassador Sondland stated that “All I heard about the (Ukraine) call, is that it was a good call.” He recalled talking to President Trump and asking what he wanted out of Ukraine. The President responded: “I want nothing. I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. Tell Zelensky to do the right thing.”

That falls far short of “impeachable conduct."

I joined Tucker Carlson on Wednesday, where we discussed Amb. Sondland’s testimony. Watch it here:

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On the House Floor

This week, the House put aside its partisan differences and passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019. The bill, which originally passed in the Senate, was sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio. This bill addresses Hong Kong's status under U.S. law and imposes sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong. The situation in Hong Kong is becoming dire, and it is inspiring to see the people of Hong Kong fight for freedom as they resist the tyrannical Communist Chinese government.

Judiciary Committee

This week in the Judiciary Committee, we marked up a number of bills, including the MORE Act, a bill sponsored by Chairman Jerry Nadler. This far-reaching cannabis reform bill is not perfect (and stands no chance of passage in the Senate), but I am pleased to see the Judiciary Committee taking steps to address this important topic!

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Fallen Rangers Memorial

This week, as recovery efforts continue, we continue to pray for lost airman Cole Condiff and his family. Patriotism runs through our veins; Northwest Florida never forgets our lost and fallen heroes.

On that note, my staff was proud to attend a memorial ceremony deep in the Northwest Florida woods, where the 6th Ranger Training Battalion remembered four Rangers who perished in a training accident in 1995.

Pace High School Supports the Troops

Yesterday, Pace High School hosted its annual ‘Sam Vickers Celebration of America.’ It was an honor to see two true American heroes in attendance: Sergeant Hardy Eubanks and Command Sergeant Major Robert Patterson.

Sgt. Eubanks is a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima, and Sergeant Major Patterson earned the medal of Honor in the Vietnam War for individually destroying multiple enemy bunkers.

I am glad that we can come together as a community to pay tribute to our heroes, and to acknowledge the rich and far-reaching military history of our district.

Service Academies

It is that time of year again service academy nomination time, that is. This week, we held Service Academy Nomination interviews, a process that selects the very best to lead our nation’s military in the future. The interviews were stellar; America’s future is in good hands!

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

The Hill November 21, 2019

Congress extends flood insurance program for 13th time since 2017

“The office of Rep. Matt Gaetz said the Florida Republican ‘supports NFIP’s reauthorization, though he hopes that we will eventually be able to end the government monopoly on flood insurance and allow private-sector competition.’”

Pensacola News Journal November 18, 2019

Woman who threw slushie on Matt Gaetz at Pensacola event sentenced to 15 days in prison

“Amanda Kondrat'yev, the woman who threw a red slushie drink on U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz at a campaign event in June, was sentenced Monday to 15 days in prison for assaulting a U.S. congressman.”

BNN Bloomberg November 20, 2019

U.S. House panel approves bill to decriminalize pot at federal level

“The bill has 54 Democratic co-sponsors, and one Republican co-sponsor: Florida Representative Matt Gaetz.”

Breitbart News November 17, 2019

Gaetz: My Constituents Question Congress Concerns over Russia-Ukraine Instead of U.S.-Mexico Border

“Saturday on Fox News Channel’s “Watters’ World,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said his constituents were questioning the focus on the Russia-Ukraine border in Congress instead of the U.S.-Mexico border.”

WEAR TV November 15, 2019

Rep. Matt Gaetz restores benefits for mother battling disease

“‘I’m thrilled at the outcome our congressional inquiry yielded and I’m pleased that Ms. Young’s healthcare and social security benefits have been restored. As always, I encourage any of my constituents experiencing issues with federal agencies to contact my office so we can work to place inquiries on their behalf,’ said Gaetz.”