TERROR LEADER DEAD
Last week, we saw President Trump order a strike on Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Leader General Qasem Soleimani. General Soleimani was a vile man — designated as terrorist by the United Nations, he had American, Iranian, and Iraqi blood on his hands. I wholeheartedly support President Trump’s decision to take him out. The world is a safer place with him gone.
After the confirmation of Soleimani’s death, Democrats in Congress admonished the President for his decision. Many have alleged him of trying to start a war with Iran. In reality, the President has shown amazing restraint with Iran, and he has overlooked events that have intentionally antagonized the United States since he took office.
But the President has also made it clear that if harm came to Americans, he would respond with overwhelming force. The protests at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq marked a turning point.
If the President had wanted war with Iran, there were plenty of opportunities for it. He does not want war with Iran, and neither do I. The safety and security of Americans has been central to the President's thinking.
IRANIAN MISSILE STRIKES
On Tuesday, we saw Iran retaliate by launching missiles at two U.S./Iraqi military bases in Iraq. Luckily, no American or Iraqi servicemembers were injured in the strikes. The President did not respond immediately. Instead, he waited for the situation to play out, and weighed his options before addressing the American people on Wednesday morning.
The President announced that he believes the Iranian forces are standing down. He will be imposing further sanctions that will continue to cripple the Iranian economy, limiting their financing of global terror and their malign activities worldwide.
I believe this is the right approach. President Trump ran on the policy of ending endless wars. I don’t want to see us enter another one, and I believe he doesn’t either. President Trump is the first President to work to end ‘forever wars’ instead of starting them.
I think we’re seeing the ‘Trump doctrine’ in action. Let’s match our military might with the right strategic decisions to get our brave men and women in uniform out of the Middle East.
Soon after the strikes, Rep. Lee Zeldin and I joined Laura Ingraham to discuss the current state of our relations with Iran:
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IMPEACHMENT
This week, impeachment has continued its standstill. While Speaker Pelosi continues stonewalling the Senate, even some Democratic Senators are breaking from the pack, and pushing for Pelosi to hand over the articles of impeachment.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said: “If we’re going to do it, she should send them over. I don’t see what good delay does.” Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) said “I respect the fact that she is concerned about the fact about whether or not there will be a fair trial. But I do think it is time to get on with it.”
For months, the Democrats in the House said that impeachment was of the utmost urgency. That was nonsense, of course, but by endlessly delaying sending the articles to the Senate, their gamesmanship is crystal clear. If this were a matter of actual urgency, you would’ve seen impeachment go to the Senate weeks ago. Instead, it’s taken weeks for the Speaker to act. On Friday, January 10, facing bipartisan opposition, Speaker Pelosi finally announced that she would start the process of transmitting the articles of impeachment to the Senate.
WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
Due to the events that transpired with Iran over the past week, Congress brought a resolution to the floor on Thursday, stating that if the United States was to pursue war with Iran, Congress must approve it first. This is Constitutional, common-sense, and correct.
Our district is the home to more troops than any other member of Congress. If our servicemembers have the courage to fight and die in these wars, Congress ought to have the courage to vote for or against them.
Yesterday, I spoke on the House Floor to explain why I would vote in favor of the resolution:
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The Constitution plainly states that it is Congress’s duty to declare war. Yet for decades, Congress has abdicated its duties and given this power to the Executive Branch. Presidents of both parties have taken advantage of Congress’s weakness, and used it to engage in endless, aimless conflicts across the globe.
Despite the hysterics from some in the media, this resolution does not limit the President’s power to defend our Nation, protect our military, or fight terrorism. It does not prevent the President from acting in America’s self-defense. If it had done any of those things, I would not have voted for it.
The President always maintains a legal right to use necessary and proportionate force to defend America and U.S. forces, and the resolution states that fact.
The resolution does not criticize the President, and it does not hinder our military. It simply states that if the situation in Iran escalates, the President must seek Congressional approval before taking military action against Iran.
For years, conservatives lamented that Obama did not seek Congressional approval before sending troops across the world. Before that, Democrats wailed that Bush did the same thing.
I am proud to have voted for this resolution. The Constitution matters, and principles matter.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
‘Chili Plunge’ in Niceville
Next month, a “chili plunge” will be held in Niceville to support the EOD Warrior Foundation. It’s a great opportunity for our community to come together for the greater good and have fun while doing it.
For more information, see:
Northwest Florida Daily News — January 10, 2010
Chili plunge to benefit EOD Warrior Foundation
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Breitbart — January 8, 2020
Gaetz: ‘Obama-Biden Policy’ to Blame for Iran Situation — Violence ‘Has Been Funded by the Iran Deal’
“Tuesday during an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “The Ingraham Angle,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) argued the flare-up of hostilities between the United States and Iran could be traced to Barack Obama’s presidency and the failed Iran nuclear deal.”
Fox News — January 8, 2020
Matt Gaetz says Trump has been ‘measured’ in dealing with Iran: ‘Let’s hope that restraint wins the day’
“Despite Wednesday morning’s missile firings by Iran against U.S. bases in Iraq, President Trump was still right to order the airstrike last week that killed Iran's Gen. Qassem Soleimani, according to U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.”
Breitbart — January 4, 2020
Gaetz on Soleimani Hit: “The World Is Witnessing a Change from the Obama-Bush Middle East Regime-Change Doctrine”
“‘The president would need congressional authorization to start a war with Iran, but as the president made very clear, this was an effort to protect our troops and to stop a war, not to start one,’ Gaetz said.”
Pensacola News Journal — January 9, 2020
Rep. Matt Gaetz joins Democrats in voting for War Powers Resolution
“‘I take a back seat to no member of this body when it comes to defending the president,’ Gaetz said. ‘This resolution offers no criticism of the president, no critique. It doesn’t criticize the president's attack on Soleimani. As a matter of fact, this resolution doesn't even say Soleimani’s name in it.’ Pointing out he represents more military members than any other member of the House, Gaetz said Congress has the duty to speak to matters of war and peace.”
WHAT WE’RE READING
Washington Examiner — January 9, 2020
Trump’s overhaul of environmental permitting could help clean energy build-out
Daily Caller — January 8, 2020
CLELAND: Heritage Should Take Tucker Carlson’s Advice On Big Tech
Inside Sources — December 27, 2019
American Infrastructure Is Wrapped in Red Tape
American Greatness — January 9, 2020
Intelligence Community’s Inspector General Is the Link Between FISAgate and Impeachment
Fox News — January 9, 2020
Ex-Obama DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson: Trump had ‘ample constitutional authority’ to take out Soleimani
The Economist — January 4, 2020
Cloning Tesla: electric-vehicle wars in China
Wall Street Journal — January 10, 2020
U.S. Economy Added 145,000 Jobs in December
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