IMPEACHMENT: NEXT STEPS
After Speaker Pelosi’s laughable signing ceremony, articles of impeachment were finally delivered to the Senate on Thursday. Democrats have preached for months that this was a ‘crime spree in progress’ and impeachment needed to proceed with the utmost urgency. Now, a month after the toxically-partisan impeachment vote, the Senate is just now receiving the articles of impeachment. What happened to their urgency?
On Friday, President Trump announced that his legal team will include Ken Starr, Alan Dershowitz, and Robert Ray. These ‘heavy hitters’ will be able to effectively prove that the President had legitimate concerns about corruption in the Ukraine. When the facts are litigated on the floor of the Senate, I am confident the President will be acquitted.
HISTORIC CHINA TRADE DEAL
While House Democrats trekked aimlessly back and forth across the Capitol, President Trump signed a tremendous ‘phase one’ trade deal with China. This historic trade deal will boost the economy and protect American businesses.
One of the biggest problems occurring between our two countries is the theft of American intellectual property by the Chinese government. This agreement will protect innovation by adding substantial and enforceable commitments regarding the protection of American ideas, patents, and trademarks against the Chinese.
This deal will significantly benefit the American agriculture sector by adding around $50 billion in agricultural exports. American farmers and American manufacturing will benefit greatly from this deal.
I look forward to seeing what will be accomplished as President Trump and China will now move on to discuss a ‘phase two’ agreement. This success with China is only beginning. The president will continue to fight for American businesses and the American worker.
USMCA
In another big win for the economy, the Senate passed the USMCA trade agreement. The President has announced that he will quickly sign this agreement into law. This is another win for the President and for the American people.
According to the International Trade Commission, in the next five years, USMCA will add up to $235 billion in new economic growth, and will add over half a million jobs to the American economy.
President Trump signed the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico over a year ago. Nancy Pelosi let it collect dust on her desk for over six months before finally advancing it when it was politically beneficial for her. It is sad to see that Democrats are willing to withhold economic gains from the American people for political gain.
Luckily, the economy continues to hit record highs consistently, and this week’s victories will only continue America’s winning streak. Under President Trump, the American people have more money in their pockets and continue to see their bank accounts grow. It’s a great time to be an American!
AROUND THE DISTRICT
NAS PENSACOLA UPDATES
Congressman Gaetz joins Senators Rubio and Scott at NAS Pensacola briefing with Secretary Esper and his advisors.
After the horrific act of terror committed by a Saudi National at NAS Pensacola, we are doing everything we can to ensure that an attack like this will never happen again. This week, I met with Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to discuss the steps the Department of Defense is taking to protect those at military bases nationwide, and what new preventive actions they will take in the future.
There will be far stronger vetting processes, and more rigorous testing, for foreign nationals who seek to train at American military facilities. This is a step in the right direction.
This week, Attorney General Barr officially declared the shooting an act of terrorism, and announced that a dozen Saudi students would be removed from NAS Pensacola and sent back to Saudi Arabia. Several were in possession of child pornography and had engaged in anti-American rhetoric, showing the necessity of better vetting procedures.
I am continuing to work closely with the Department of Defense to enhance the safety of our soldiers at NAS Pensacola and nationwide.
E-VERIFY
In the “State of the State” address this week, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke about the importance of passing statewide E-Verify legislation. E-Verify is a free, effective program that enables employers to check if their employees are legally allowed to work in the United States.
The statewide use of E-Verify will raise wages for Floridians, while ensuring that workplaces are staffed by legal employees. Most importantly, it will make the agriculture sector of Florida’s economy less of a magnet for those who have entered the country illegally.
Since arriving in Congress, I have supported and cosponsored several pieces of legislation requiring the nationwide use of E-Verify. It is a simple, effective step to curb illegal immigration and prioritize American workers, and wherever E-Verify is required, it is successful. I hope that the legislature will follow through on Governor DeSantis’s bold proposal, and thank the Governor for his deep commitment to Florida workers!
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Fox News — January 16, 2020
Rep. Matt Gaetz says Russia probe will ‘erode’ credibility of House impeachment managers
“Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. has said the seven House lawmakers who will serve as impeachment managers to prosecute the case against President Trump in the Senate have lost their credibility due to their roles in the failed Russia investigation.”
Pensacola News Journal — January 15, 2020
12 of the 21 expelled Saudi trainees were from NAS Pensacola, Gaetz confirms
“On Wednesday, the office of U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz confirmed that 12 of those individuals had been training at NAS Pensacola.”
Breitbart News — January 14, 2020
Gaetz: Democrats ‘Feel Like They’ve Been Walked off the Cliff’ by Pelosi on Impeachment
“Monday on Fox News Channel’s “The Ingraham Angle,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said he anticipates a “tense” meeting for Democrats when they convene their weekly meeting and discuss the pending transfer of the articles of impeachment to the U.S. Senate.”
Reason — January 14, 2020
Fed Scientists Filmed Themselves Giving Monkeys Brain Damage. A Watchdog Group Wants the Footage.
“‘Taxpayers are sick and tired of the government’s multimillion-dollar monkey business, like giving primates brain damage and then scaring them with rubber snakes and spiders,’ Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who helped sponsor that legislation, told the Washington Examiner, calling the NIH’s monkey experiments ‘expensive, unnecessary, and inhumane.’”
Washington Examiner — January 15, 2020
‘Not thinking about each individual’: Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins leave door open on Hunter Biden testimony
“Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, argued that Trump’s suspicion of the Bidens’ actions in Ukraine was justified.”
Washington Examiner — January 17, 2020
Trump impeachment team to include Ken Starr and Alan Dershowitz
“‘Establishment Republicans’ stopped Dershowitz from testifying in the House, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida said in December.”
WHAT WE’RE READING
National Review — January 17, 2020
The Botched Democratic Case for Witnesses
The Economist — January 15, 2020
Iran’s attack on Iraq shows how precise missiles have become
Wall Street Journal — January 16, 2020
U.S. and China Face a Steep Climb to Meet Trade Goals
Washington Examiner — January 16, 2020
Meet the managers: Pelosi picks staunch Trump foes to prosecute case
The Atlantic — January 15, 2020
Taiwan Stands Up to Xi
Bloomberg — January 15, 2020
Drones Target Polluters in One of Europe’s Smoggiest Places
National Review — January 26, 2020
John Roberts, Eternal Hostage
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