Matt Gaetz, a member of the 117th Congress, is currently serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. His work in Congress focuses on national security, veterans’ affairs, and adherence to constitutional principles.
From Florida to D.C., Matt has lived up to his reputation as an outspoken conservative firebrand. Matt has been a prominent voice for uncovering corruption within the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation during his tenure in the US House, as well as fighting to advance former President Trump’s America First agenda for the United States on the House floor, on television, directly to his constituents during “Open Gaetz Days” or town halls, and most recently in a nation-wide America First tour.
Congressman Gaetz is passionate about animal welfare issues and has been recognized by many animal advocacy groups for his activism in Congress.
Matt Gaetz is one of former President Donald Trump’s top allies in Washington and has long been an ardent critic of the Mueller Witch Hunt. Matt is not afraid to call out the Fake News Media in their attempts to tear down Conservatives and the America First Agenda. Former President Trump has called Matt an “Absolute Warrior,” and GQ called him “The Trumpiest Congressman in Trump’s Washington.” When Matt sees corruption and agenda-pushing by the out-of-touch liberal elite, he takes action.
Florida's environment is known world-wide for our vibrant Everglades, rich fisheries, and pristine beaches. The environment is an enormous factor of our economy, and contributes directly to the livlihood of millions of Floridians. In the 115th Congress, Congressman Gaetz joined the Climate Solutions Caucus, which explores solutions to environmental issues such as climate change and global warming. Congressman Gaetz is commited to seeking creative solutions to protecting our environment without inviting the federal government to impose burdonsome regulations on our citizens.
To ensure our faith community of Congressman Gaetz’s support any effort to defend religious liberty; and collaborate with faith and community leaders to advance outreach
America must lead on the world stage, or someone else will. It is imperative that we lead through diplomacy and strong defense policies.
In 2018, Matt secured a $41.9 million authorization to fund military test ranges, including our local Gulf Test Range. This allocation will not only ensure that the U.S. has the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen, but also keeps great paying jobs in our community. Keeping the American people safe at home and abroad is the Federal government’s most important duty. Matt knows that a well-trained and fully-funded military is critical in ensuring our national security and fighting terrorism. We must project global strength and send our enemies a clear message that we will not tolerate any acts that threaten our safety and security.
Congress could learn a thing or two from Florida’s economic recovery, where Matt has voted to repeal over 4,000 burdensome regulations and cut taxes over 50 times, totaling over $1 billion in savings for Floridians. That commitment has made Florida a leader in job growth, with unemployment at its lowest rate in 8 years. In Congress, Matt supports our President Trump’s “America First” policy to bring jobs and revenue back from overseas.
Congressman Gaetz has served on the House Judiciary Committee since the 115th Congress. His work defending President Trump on the House Judiciary Committee has earned him the title of "Absolute Warrior."
This standing committee was established in 1813 by the House of Representatives and has since expanded its role from strictly judicial legislative matters to "the administration of justice in federal courts, administrative bodies, and law enforcement agencies. courts, law enforcement agencies."
(Source: judiciary.house.gov.)
Law Enforcement heroes place their lives on the line every day to protect our community. Congressman Gaetz has sponsored several pieces of legislation to protect our men and women in law enforcement, including the Wounded Officers Recovery Act of 2017, The American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017, and the Rapid DNA Act of 2017.
Matt is passionate about ensuring the free exercise of religion is preserved and protected from unconstitutional government overreach and liberal judicial activism.
Rep. Gaetz believes we should continue to encourage innovation in clean energy solutions, and has proposed a "Green Real Deal" for America that promotes these solutions.
Matt is committed to solving the country's opioid epidemic, promoting research for medicial cannibis, expanding healthcare options and protecting life in the womb.
Northwest Florida is home to strategic military installations such as Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, and Pensacola NAS. Home to diverse mission sets like Special Operations, Test and Evaluation, and training the next generation of pilots, we owe our freedom to the brave men and women that serve in Florida’s First District. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Matt has fought for increased funding for the F-35 program to ensure its extraordinary capabilities are protecting our Nation as quickly as possible. He has also worked to enhance readiness by securing $27.4 million to fund Gulf Coast Test Range enhancements that will enable our aviators to train on up-to-date technology as well as continue critical testing of air-to-air missiles, drone targeting, and hypersonic weapons.
In the FY19 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House of Representatives in May, Matt secured authorization for $31.9 million in further funding for Gulf Coast Test Range Enhancements, $10 million for an Air Traffic Control Tower at NAS Whiting Field, and $60 million for F-35 spares. He will continue to be an advocate for our military to ensure it is ready and able to fight the wars of today and tomorrow.
When it comes to caring for our veterans Matt has worked diligently to improve the quality of care America’s heroes receive. He supported the Choice Act which provided an additional $2.1 billion in mandatory funding for the Veterans Choice Program. This program allows veterans to be seen by a community provider if the VA cannot provide care in a timely manner. Matt has also worked with the VA on reducing missed appointments by using ride share apps, using Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injuries and PTSD, and using Telemedicine options for treating mental health.
Matt Gaetz is a member of the 115th Congress and serves on the Budget, Armed Services, and Judiciary Committees. His work in Congress focuses on national security, tax reform, regulatory reform and adherence to constitutional principles.
Prior to serving in Congress, Matt represented portions of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties in the Florida House of Representatives, beginning in 2010. He was chairman of the Finance & Tax Committee, using this position to author and pass $1 Billion in tax cuts while balancing the state budget and repealing or replacing over 4,000 regulations. Matt also served as chairman of the criminal justice subcommittee where he authored and passed the toughest penalties in America against violent sexual predators while making it easier for Florida patients to receive medical cannabis.
Matt is active in Northwest Florida as an attorney with the Keefe, Anchors & Gordon law firm where he advocates for more open and transparent government. He is the son of Don and Vicky Gaetz and is a graduate of Bluewater Elementary, Ruckel Middle School and Niceville High School. He holds degrees from Florida State University and the William & Mary College of Law.
Matt is a Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association and is a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach.
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Irresponsibly cutting defense spending is a national security risk that won’t solve our budget crisis. We must cut spending and balance our budget with long-term solutions—not on the backs of our service members and defense community. Matt will always stand up for our military community, and opposes any automatic cuts to defense spending that would jeopardize our national security and damage the Northwest Florida economy.
In 2018, Matt secured a $41.9 million authorization to fund military test ranges, including our local Gulf Test Range. This allocation will not only ensure that the U.S. has the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen, but also keeps great paying jobs in our community. Keeping the American people safe at home and abroad is the Federal government’s most important duty. Matt knows that a well-trained and fully-funded military is critical in ensuring our national security and fighting terrorism. We must project global strength and send our enemies a clear message that we will not tolerate any acts that threaten our safety and security.
Parents and teachers, not bureaucrats, know what’s best for our students, and Matt successfully sponsored legislation allowing local school districts to opt out of Common Core textbook requirements. Matt is committed to improving school safety in a bipartisan manner, because nothing should divide us when it comes to protecting our children.