SHAMPEACHMENT 2019
2019 — the first year of the Democrat-controlled House — concluded with a rushed and partisan impeachment of President Trump. The House passed two articles of impeachment against the president: “Abuse of Power” and “Obstruction of Congress.”
Not a single Republican voted for either of the articles. On the Abuse of Power vote, there were two Democrats who voted “no” and one who voted “present.” On the Obstruction of Congress article, there were 3 “no” votes on the Democratic side, and one “present” vote.
Months ago, Nancy Pelosi and Jerry Nadler preached that an impeachment of Donald Trump must be bipartisan to be credible.
And yet…here we are.
The only bipartisan votes we’ve had in the impeachment process have been those dissenting on impeachment. Every step of the way, this impeachment has been entirely partisan.
Republicans may have lost the vote, but Democrats have lost the debate, and I believe this impeachment debacle will backfire spectacularly on them. Democrats failed to deliver on their promises to have a bipartisan impeachment, to produce direct evidence, and to have a groundswell of bipartisan support. The Democrats have not lived up to any of their self-imposed guidelines.
We knew this was coming. Since Democrats took control of the House, Americans knew their goal was to impeach President Trump. The cause didn’t matter — they planned for this long, long ago. If the Ukraine call had never happened, I am certain that Democrats would still have had a vote to impeach — they’re just playing ‘pin the tail on impeachment.’
This process has been a joke — and I know the American people will not forget these dirty tricks.
Democrats would rather trip the president, just to see him stumble, than see America succeed.
During the debate, I spoke on the House floor to decry the unjustified, baseless impeachment:
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This is not about the Ukraine. It's about power.
President Trump has it, and Democrats want it.
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DEMOCRATS GET SALT-y
After Wednesday’s sham impeachment vote, Democrats decided to double down on ideas the American people hate, and voted to suspend the $10,000 cap on SALT deductions. I was proud to vote against this awful bill, because it would be terrible for Florida.
Ultimately, the SALT deduction functions as a subsidy to wealthy residents of high-tax states. Deducting state tax payments from federal taxes keeps the very rich from ever feeling the full weight of their states’ burdensome taxes. These states then feel emboldened to raise taxes even higher, harming almost everyone — everyone but the extremely rich, that is.
My Democratic colleague and friend Rep. Stephanie Murphy also voted against this bill. But I have to wonder: why didn’t other Florida Democrats vote “no”?
It seems that most Florida Democrats would rather follow Speaker Pelosi’s orders than help the Sunshine State.
I wrote an op-ed about this terrible bill, which is available here:
Florida Politics — December 19, 2019
Democrats’ new plan: Tax breaks for millionaires
USMCA PASSES HOUSE (AT LAST)
Even though the House abandoned bipartisanship for its disgraceful impeachment vote, members of both parties came together on Thursday to pass ‘implementing legislation’ for the USMCA. The passage of the USMCA is a monumental achievement for the American people, one spearheaded by President Trump since his first day in office.
USMCA advances the America First agenda on the world stage, and secures a successful future for our nation’s economy, job growth, and trade. It is projected to add $68.2 billion to the U.S. economy, and will create almost 200,000 new American jobs.
Even though Speaker Pelosi dragged her feet on USMCA, and childishly refused to bring it to the floor for the past several months, it finally passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority.
I’m proud to have voted in favor of this historic trade agreement, and thank President Trump for his unwavering commitment to the American worker.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
NEW HELICOPTERS FOR DUKE FIELD
For Duke Field, Christmas came early this year! The Air Force has invested more than $2 billion in 84 MH-139A “Grey Wolf” helicopters. Four of these state-of-the-art helicopters are coming to our district, helping increase our military readiness, and prepare us for a safer future. We welcome these new aircraft, and look forward to future additions to our training operations.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Breitbart — December 20, 2019
Breitbart News: House Democrats Pass Partisan Articles of Impeachment Against President Trump
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said, “Democrats have been triggered into impeaching the President – because they don’t like him, and they don’t like us.”
Pensacola News Journal — December 18, 2019
Defense bill brings $1.6 billion in military construction projects to Florida Panhandle
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz praised the passage of the bill from the House last week, saying in a press release that it will strengthen Northwest Florida’s dynamic military mission.
Washington Examiner — December 18, 2019
Matt Gaetz: Democrats disdain Trump supporters as ‘smelly Walmart shoppers’
Making his closing arguments against President Trump’s impeachment, Rep. Matt Gaetz said Democrats believe the president’s supporters are “smelly Walmart shoppers.”
Fox News — December 17, 2019
GOP push to reform FISA gains momentum in wake of Horowitz report
Reaction and analysis from Kira Davis, Tomi Lahren, and Rep. Matt Gaetz.
NW Florida Daily News — December 18, 2019
Military construction dollars headed to Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field
“Northwest Florida’s dynamic military mission is strengthened with the passage of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said in a prepared statement on local military construction and other aspects of the defense spending bill.
WHAT WE’RE READING
National Review — December 19, 2019
If Impeachment Articles Are Not Delivered, Did Impeachment Happen?
The Federalist — December 19, 2019
6 Reasons Pelosi’s Senate Obstruction Gambit On Impeachment Articles Is A Disaster
The Daily Caller — December 20, 2019
Democrat’s Impeachment Lawyer Says Trump Is Not Impeached If Pelosi Sits On Articles Of Impeachment
The Federalist — December 15, 2019
Chris Wallace Grills James Comey On FISA Abuse: ‘You Were The Head Of The FBI’
Fox News — December 19, 2019
Barr: By the time Trump took office, it was clear there was ‘no basis’ to Papadopoulos, Page allegations
American Greatness — December 20, 2019
Report: Durham is Zeroing in on John Brennan’s Role in Russia Hoax
Politico — December 19, 2019
Van Drew pledges ‘undying support’ for Trump as he switches parties
WEAR TV — December 20, 2019
Gulf Breeze Zoo celebrates birth of an endangered White-Handed Gibbon
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