Matt Gaetz

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding back. I am unaware of any such charge. The charges that concern me most are the charges that are misdemeanor in nature that would normally result in a very quick pass through the criminal justice system, and then having someone go on with their lives. Those charges are resulting in enhanced confinement, conditions that are not observable, and civil rights that are not identifiable when we are inquisitive to the United States Department of Justice. The gentlewoman from Georgia compares, perhaps improperly, the BLM riots of the past summer with the circumstances of January 6. I mean, dozens of people died as a result of the BLM riots. This was not the case at the Capitol. We are not for violence of any kind. There are plenty of places in the world, like Cuba, where political violence is necessary. By the way, the very same BLM crowd that was burning down America, that was calling this Nation racist, they have totally embraced the Cuban regime. So I guess socialism runs thicker than politics, runs thicker than blood, for sure. So with the Department of Justice under, frankly, both President Trump and President Biden unwilling to treat the BLM terrorism for what it was, to then turn on people who potentially were not violent, charging them, holding them, depriving them of the normal array of civil rights that we would afford any American, it does make it harder to make the American case to the world. We have already seen global leaders suggest that whatever their human rights violations, hey, America's got folks from January 6 locked up, so Vladimir Putin can kill his enemies, so other despots can justify the horrendous things they do to their people. In the words of one of our late, great chairmen in this body, we are better than this. We should be better than this. But we did not find better today. Today we found a Federal Government that was arrogant and recalcitrant. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. Greene) to perhaps opine on the conditions we think people might be suffering based on the attitude we encountered today.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of William Allen Pullum. Navarre is a community in my district in Florida that is one of the fastest growing. It is vibrant, full of warfighters, workers, and lovely people. Bill Pullum is the father of Navarre. He was born in 1947 and lived most of his life in this community. He joined the Army in 1967 as an Army helicopter pilot and earned the Silver and Bronze Stars, as well as two Distinguished Flying Crosses in Vietnam before being honorably discharged in 1970. He was involved in every aspect of life from real estate to business development, chambers of commerce, Kiwanis Clubs. There was hardly a cause in Navarre that Bill Pullum and his family did not support. He was dedicated as a family member, a husband, a father, and was instrumental in mission work in Honduras throughout his life. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the late Bill Pullum for his life of service to our country and to the community in my district.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the life of Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Lombardo. Sam and his family legally immigrated to the United States from Italy. He enlisted to serve in the Army National Guard's 28th Infantry Division just 1 month following the start of World War II. After training, he was deployed to Europe where he would serve as platoon leader and executive officer of I Company, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Division, and he would always remind constituents in northwest Florida that he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. During this time, Lieutenant Colonel Lombardo and his platoon created their own makeshift flag out of scraps of red and blue cloth. For the white, they used German surrender flags. They used this as their battle flag in victorious campaigns across the Rhine and Danube Rivers. Following World War II, Lieutenant Colonel Lombardo continued his service to our country in Korea and Vietnam. Throughout his service, Lieutenant Colonel Lombardo earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with ``V'' for Valor, as well as an Oak Leaf Cluster with Meritorious Achievement among 10 other medals. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the late Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Lombardo. I asked Sam how he was able to be so healthy after more than 100 years living on the planet Earth. He said that his secret was red wine and almonds at night. I think I will have a little of both in his honor this evening.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, it is with great concern that I report to the House that the Civil Rights Division of the Biden Justice Department is actually working against the civil rights and the voting rights of our citizens. Brave patriots in Arizona have undertaken an election audit to ensure that an actual human being is attached to a vote that was cast. This will inform better public policy prospectively. But Pamela Karlan, the head of the Civil Rights Division of the Biden Justice Department, has worked to stop that endeavor, and we know Dr. Karlan from her testimony in the Judiciary Committee where she made fun of President Trump's son's name and where she said that conservative Republicans didn't want to even live around one another because apparently we are so repulsive. This is deeply unfortunate. This person should not even have a job at the Justice Department, and she certainly should not be working to perpetuate the true big lie and that is that there is not a tremendous amount of work left to be done on election integrity.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the Financial Services Committee for yielding. I rise in support of the SAFE Banking Act, which I am honored to introduce with my colleagues, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Perlmutter, Mr. Blumenauer, and others. It seems the war on drugs is a lot like so many of the other forever wars that this Congress confronts, deeply unpopular in all parts of the country except Washington, D.C. I commend the majority party for bringing this bill to the floor and allowing businesses that serve particularly medical marijuana patients the opportunity to access the U.S. financial system. There is an important part of this legislation that bears note. With the SAFE Banking Act, we will have an unprecedented opportunity for research and collaboration, which did not exist previously and which doesn't exist now. There are so many universities, medical centers, other research institutions that would like to partner with and work alongside marijuana businesses with the opportunity to improve health outcomes for patients and to bring relief to people who badly need it. I would implore my colleagues in the majority party to reach out to President Biden as I did to President Trump. Ask him to take executive action to remove marijuana from the list of schedule I drugs so that we can accelerate marijuana reform for the benefit of our fellow Americans and those who are in need and in pain and are counting on it.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Joseph H. Neely, Jr. as the Okaloosa County Educational Support Professional of the Year. For eighteen years Mr. Neely has served the Okaloosa County School District with exceptional passion and an unwavering commitment to serving others. In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the Nation. It is recognized that the position of custodian can be difficult--but also rewarding. Mr. Neely has performed his many duties without hesitation, while always providing a friendly smile for everyone he encounters. Mr. Neely is revered by his Principal and colleagues for his strong work ethic and compassion. He selflessly considers the needs of both students and staff because of the immense pride he has for his school. His support and outreach extend far beyond the hearts and minds of his own students during school hours through his willingness to help wherever assistance is needed. Mr. Neely has displayed dedicated teamwork by coordinating the cleanup of events. He is also the head football and baseball coach at Meigs Middle School, teaching the importance of sportsmanship to his students. I commend him for his steadfast willingness to serve as an example for those who matter most--the students and youth of our Nation. For all of his admirable contributions to our community, I am truly proud to have Mr. Neely as a constituent in Florida's First Congressional District. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Mr. Joseph H. Neely, Jr. for his many accomplishments, and his commitment to excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collaboration in the Okaloosa County School District. I thank him for his service and wish him all the best for his continued success.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Tanya Durham as the Walton County Educational Support Professional of the Year. Since August of 2019, Ms. Durham has served the Walton County School District with exceptional passion and an unwavering commitment to serving others. In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the Nation. It is recognized that the position of custodian can be difficult--but also rewarding. Ms. Durham has performed her many duties without hesitation, while always providing a friendly smile for everyone she encounters. Ms. Durham is revered by her Principal and colleagues for her strong work ethic and compassion. She selflessly considers the needs of both students and staff because of the immense pride she has for her school. Her support and outreach extend far beyond the hearts and minds of her own students through her willingness to help wherever assistance is needed. Ms. Durham has displayed dedicated teamwork by coordinating events, like ``Family Night'' for The Boys and Girls Club and the May Day Festival. I commend her for her steadfast willingness to serve as an example for those who matter most--the students and youth of our Nation. For all of her admirable contributions to our community, I am truly proud to have Ms. Durham as a constituent in Florida's First Congressional District. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Ms. Tanya Durham for her many accomplishments, and her commitment to excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collaboration in the Walton County School District. I thank her for her service, and wish her all the best for her continued success.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Jessica Landry as the Okaloosa County Teacher of the Year. For nine years, Ms. Landry has served James E. Plew Elementary School with talent, passion, and an unwavering commitment to her students. In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the Nation. It is recognized that the teaching profession is one of the most difficult professions in existence--yet it can also be one of the most rewarding. Ms. Landry has performed her teaching duties exceptionally, while also being an active and supportive member of her community. Ms. Landry attended Northwest Florida State College, where she earned a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education. She later attended the University of West Florida and earned a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership. Her support and outreach extend far beyond the walls of her classroom through her involvement in other programs, such as the School Advisory Council and Plew's Parent Leadership Association, and serving as the Senior Building Representative for Okaloosa County Schools. Ms. Landry has spent her time outside of school hours as the Academic Team coach, Young Astronaut Club coordinator, and as a mentor to new mathematics and science teachers. I commend her for her steadfast willingness to serve those who matter most--the students and youth of our Nation. For all of her admirable contributions to our community, I am truly proud to have Ms. Landry as a constituent in Florida's First Congressional District. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Ms. Jessica Landry for her many accomplishments, and her commitment to excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collaboration in the Okaloosa County School District. I thank her for her service, and wish her all the best for her continued success.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Leslie Coone as the Walton County Teacher of the Year. For twelve years, Ms. Coone has served the Walton County School District with talent, passion, and an unwavering commitment to serving her students. In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the Nation. It is recognized that teaching is one of the most difficult professions--yet also one of the most rewarding. Ms. Coone has performed her teaching duties exceptionally, while also being an active and supportive member of her community. Ms. Coone is revered by her Principal and colleagues for her incredible willingness to always lend a helping hand. She holds high expectations for each student, and strives to help them discover their true potential; additionally, she engages her students with ``Accountable Talk'' and ``Stop-n-Jots.'' Her support and outreach extend far beyond the walls of her third- grade math class through her involvement as an ILDA teacher, School Improvement Team member, and Grade Level Chair. Ms. Coone has displayed dedicated teamwork as a teacher mentor, and assists new teachers by sharing the knowledge and skills she has acquired throughout her own teaching career. I commend her for her steadfast willingness to serve those who matter most--the students and youth of our Nation. For all of her admirable contributions to our community, I am truly proud to have Ms. Coone as a constituent in Florida's First Congressional District. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Ms. Leslie Coone for her many accomplishments, and her commitment to excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collaboration in the Walton County School District. I thank her for her service, and wish her all the best for her continued success.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Briana McCreary as the Escambia County Teacher of the Year. For eight years, Ms. McCreary has served Montclair Elementary School with talent, passion, and an unwavering commitment to serving her students. In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the Nation. It is recognized that the teaching profession is one of the most difficult yet rewarding professions in existence. Ms. McCreary has performed her teaching duties exceptionally, while also being an active and supportive member of her community. Ms. McCreary attended Florida A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She later attended the University of West Florida and earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. Her support and outreach extend far beyond the walls of her classroom through her involvement in outreach programs, such as SheCounts. Ms. McCreary has served as the Director of this afterschool program since August of 2019. The program is for female students in grades three through five and is focused on improving their confidence and skills in mathematics and STEM courses. I commend her for her steadfast willingness to serve those that matter most--the students and youth of our Nation. For all of her admirable contributions to our community, I am truly proud to have Ms. McCreary as a constituent in Florida's First Congressional District. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Ms. Briana McCreary for her many accomplishments, and her commitment to excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collaboration in the Escambia County School District. I thank her for her service, and wish her all the best for her continued success.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, it seems to me that impeachment is an itch that doesn't go away with just one scratch. It also seems that President Trump may be most likely to be impeached when he is correct. Before the last Presidential impeachment, President Trump rightly pointed out the improper activities of the Biden crime family, and subsequently he has been proven right. And don't think for a moment, Madam Speaker, that we are going to drop that or stop our pursuit for the truth. Before that, Madam Speaker, we had the Russia hoax, where you had the President rightfully making claims that Hillary Clinton and the DNC were colluding with Russians to disorient our democracy. How right he turned out to be. And then we have the 2020 Presidential election where the President correctly pointed out unconstitutional behavior, voting irregularities, concerns over tabulations, dead people voting, and now impeachment again. ``When they go low, we kick them,'' Eric Holder, former Attorney General under Barack Obama. Breaching the Capitol was as low as low can be. We all denounce it. But who is it that they are kicking? The President, who created soaring highs for our economy, rising wages before the pandemic, and 400 miles of wall to stop the caravans. He drew down troops in the Middle East and showed empathy for the forgotten men and women of our country. It is why so many people love him so much, and it is why they are kicking all of us. This President has faced unprecedented hatred and resistance from Big Media, Big Tech, and big egos from congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle. Before the rioters tore through that glass, Speaker Pelosi stood at that rostrum and tore through the President's State of the Union speech, inciting anger, resentment, and division. Some believe that truly these true colors are being shown now through this divisive bipartisan impeachment.

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, the Speaker said to us just moments ago that words matter. But apparently those words don't matter when they are uttered by Democrats, when the gentlewoman from Massachusetts calls for unrest in the streets, and when the gentlewoman from California brazenly brags that she called for people to get in the faces of those who serve and support the President. I denounce political violence from all ends of the spectrum. But make no mistake: the left in America has incited far more political violence than the right. For months our cities burned, police stations burned, and our businesses were shattered; and they said nothing or they cheer- led for it, they fundraised for it, and they allowed it to happen in the greatest country in the world. Now, some have cited the metaphor that the President lit the flame. They lit actual flames and actual fires. We put them out, and we intend to keep this President.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, well, they may be calling on the Vice President, but based on his letter, he is not answering. Everybody in this country knows that they wanted to impeach President Trump on his first day in office. And it looks like they are going to want to impeach him on his last day too. But all he did in the middle was rescue our economy, rebuild our military, reform the VA, and reduce America's involvement in foreign wars. Now, I join the bipartisan caucus condemning the violence that we saw at our Capitol, but the hypocrisy is just downright disorienting. President Trump called for protests that would be peaceful and patriotic. He got labeled a national security threat. Yet the gentlewoman from California can call on her supporters to get physical and in the faces of Republicans, and she gets the chairmanship of the Financial Services Committee. Republican Members of Congress utilized a process contemplated in the Constitution to offer an objection, and we were labeled seditionists. Democrat Members of Congress raised funds for groups attacking our police, burning our cities, destroying our businesses, establishing autonomous zones, and they were celebrated as justice warriors. Wednesday, they called for unity, democracy, and healing. Now, just days later, seeking power and political advantage, the Democrats have reverted to the mean. They have gone back to their natural state: the party of impeachment, removal, and division. They are about to have unified control of the government. Maybe they would use this time to preview an agenda for the American people. The last two times the 25th Amendment was invoked, it was to facilitate a colonoscopy. Now they are using it to facilitate a transition to Joe Biden. How weird. Why? I would call it virtue signaling, but there is no virtue in it. This removal effort isn't for America. It is for them for their ability to showcase and wield power, and we see the power of cancellation and removal on full display in America today. Forbes Magazine has called for White House officials to be shamed and unemployable. ABC News has called for the cleansing of the Trump movement. I don't know what that means, but talking about cleansing our fellow human beings sure is scary. Big Tech has driven consumers and conservatives off of monopolistic platforms, and when we created our own platform, Parler, it was nuked from the internet altogether. The gentlewoman from New York was booted from a Harvard advisory board because she took an adverse position on electors that had been taken by every single member of the Congressional Black Caucus in 2001. Cancellations for some, celebrations for others for doing the exact same thing. The President of the United States can't tweet or post on Facebook, but we know from Project Veritas that the principal counsel for PBS can call for the government to steal children from Republicans and throw Molotov cocktails at the White House. We should allow America to heal before America is lost, but that is not what is happening today.

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the resolution today, they want to show you that they can still tear things down. I guess, over the next 2 years, we will see if they are capable of building anything or anyone up. This is a deeply unpopular impeachment. The public wishes we were here dealing with coronavirus, not the virus of Trump hatred that you seem to have found no vaccine for.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the objection.

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, one of the first things we did when the House convened today was to join together to extend our grace and our kindness and our concern for a colleague who has experienced just an insurmountable amount of grief with his family. And I want all of our fellow Americans watching to know that we did that because we care about each other and we don't want bad things to happen to each other, and our heart hurts when they do. Now, I am sure there are plenty of folks over there who don't like me too much and there are few of them that I don't care for too much. But if anybody had been hurt today, it would have been even more of a catastrophe than we already saw, and I think that is an important point for the country. Another important point for the country is that this morning, President Trump explicitly called for demonstrations and protests to be peaceful. He was far more--you can moan and groan, but he was far more explicit about his calls for peace than some of the BLM and leftwing rioters were this summer when we saw violence sweep across this Nation. Now, we came here today to debate, to follow regular order, to offer an objection, to follow a process that is expressly contemplated in our Constitution; and for doing that, we got called a bunch of seditious traitors. Now, not since 1985 has a Republican President been sworn in absent some Democrat effort to object to the electors; but when we do it, it is the new violation of all norms. And when those things are said, people get angry. Now, I know there are many countries where political violence may be necessary, but America is not one such country. Madam Speaker, it was wrong when people vandalized and defaced your home. It was wrong when thugs went to Senator Hawley's home. And I don't know if the reports are true, but The Washington Times has just reported some pretty compelling evidence from a facial recognition company showing that some of the people who breached the Capitol today were not Trump supporters. They were masquerading as Trump supporters, and, in fact, were members of the violent terrorist group antifa. Now, we should seek to build America up, not tear her down and destroy her. And I am sure glad that, at least for one day, I didn't hear my Democrat colleagues calling to defund the police. Now, I appreciate all the talk of coming together, but let us not pretend that our colleagues on the left have been free of some antidemocratic impulses. Just because we signed on to legal briefs and asked courts to resolve disputes, there were some on the left who said that we should not even be seated in the body, that we ought to be prosecuted, maybe even jailed. Those arguments anger people. But people do understand the concepts of basic fairness, and no competition, contest, or election can be deemed fair if the participants are subject to different rules. Baseball teams that cheat and steal signs should be stripped of their championships. Russian Olympians who cheat and use steroids should be stripped of their medals. And States that do not run clean elections should be stripped of their electors. This fraud was systemic; it was repeated; it was the same system; and, I dare say, it was effective. We saw circumstances where, when Democrat operatives couldn't get the outcomes they wanted in State legislatures, when they couldn't get the job done there, they went and pressured and litigated and usurped the Constitution with extra- constitutional action of some officials in some States. They fraudulently laundered ballots, votes, voter registration forms, and then they limited review. In 2016, Democrats found out that they couldn't beat Donald Trump at the ballot box with voters who actually show up, so they turned to impeachment and the witness box. And when that failed, they ran to the mailbox, where this election saw an unprecedented amount of votes that could not be authenticated with true ID, with true signature match, and with true confidence for the American people. Our Article III courts have failed by not holding evidentiary hearings to weigh the evidence. We should not join in that failure. We should vindicate the rights of States. We should vindicate the subpoenas in Arizona that have been issued to get a hold of these voting machines, and we should reject these electors.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, I oppose the NDAA, not because I am against our troops, but because I love them so much. America's fighting men and women are so precious that they should not have to die in some failed state, some faraway land that most Americans can't even point to on a map so that defense contractors can extend our involvement in these wars, so that lobbyists can get rich, and so that Members of Congress can get reelected. This good bill has been hijacked by the forever war lobby and their bought-and-paid-for allies in the United States Congress. It puts barriers in the way of an administration that wants to bring our troops home and put America first. This legislation has become too swampy. It does good things to ensure that America can vanquish any foe on the battlefield, but we should only fight when that fight is just and proper. Mr. Speaker, we have spent two decades trading the same villages back and forth in Afghanistan. And I believe that the administration that leads our country should work to bring those troops home, and unfortunately, this bill does exactly the opposite. From Afghanistan, from Germany, and elsewhere, I am going to put America first and I am voting against this bill.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. The MORE Act is flawed. It uses cannabis policy to do a great deal of social engineering to create new taxes and new programs and redistribution of assets. But I am here as the only Republican cosponsor of the MORE Act, and I am voting for it because the Federal Government has lied to the people of this country about marijuana for a generation. We have seen a generation, particularly of Black and Brown youth, locked up for offenses that should not have resulted in any incarceration whatsoever. I am also deeply troubled by the current policy of the Federal Government that inhibits research into cannabis, research that could unlock cures and help people live better lives. My Republican colleagues today will make a number of arguments against this bill, but those arguments are overwhelmingly losing with the American people. In every State where cannabis reform was on the ballot in this country, it passed. It passed with overwhelming support. As a matter of fact, the only thing that I know that is more popular than getting out of the war on drugs is getting out of the war in Afghanistan. But if we were measuring the success in the war on drugs, it would be hard to conclude anything other than the fact that drugs have won because the American people do not support the policies of incarceration, limited research, limited choice, and particularly constraining medical application. We are here in a time when many people in our country are suffering. They are in pain. It is documented that States with medical cannabis programs see a reduction in the prescribing of opioids and in the number of opioid abuses and deaths. We have held hearings in the House Judiciary Committee where people in our government must confess that this is, in fact, true, that the more we give people access to medical cannabis programs, the more we see a blunting of this horrible scourge of opioid addiction and opioid abuse. We talk all the time on the right about the need to empower people and empower States. Right now, the Federal policy on cannabis constrains our people. It limits our States. I would only hope that in the 117th Congress, after this bill invariably dies in the Senate, we will actually come back and pass the STATES Act because it acknowledges that we have screwed this up in the Federal Government. While we have screwed it up, States have taken action. They have designed programs in the way that our great Federal system promises. If we were to pass the STATES Act, then best practices would emerge, States that developed applicable programs for their people would be replicable, and we would see better policies. I am going to vote for the MORE Act. It won't pass the Senate and it won't become law, but then we should come back in the 117th Congress, and we should truly do more for our people.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, while I know the comments of the majority's time manager were directed to my colleague from Florida, it will likely not surprise him that I will regularly vote against things that pass unanimously in the United States Senate. I don't hold that as a standard. We are here on a resolution regarding the peaceful transition of power. We barely had a peaceful transition of power in 2016. My colleague, the gentleman from California, was on television almost every night telling the American people that President Trump was an agent of the Russian Government. How fake it all turned out to be. I rise in opposition to this resolution even though I completely support the peaceful transfer of power. This resolution is a way for Democrats to attack the President and disguise the fact that they will refuse to accept the election results unless they win. Professional loser Hillary Clinton has told Joe Biden that he should not concede ``under any circumstances.'' The Transition Integrity Project has said that the aftermath of the November election will be a ``street fight, not a legal battle.'' The same report suggests that Biden could even try to convince States to secede from the Union before accepting a Trump victory. Are these the actions of a party willing to accept defeat? They weren't willing to accept defeat in the 2016 election. They had to go blame the Russians. I guess I am still waiting for the 13 Russians who were indicted to show up. No, this resolution is projecting and gaslighting. The media has begun gaslighting the public, too, saying that it may look like Trump won on election night, but that as ballots are counted, States will flip. How will this great switch be accomplished? Through the Democrats' usual methods: lawfare, fraud, and violence. Look at what we have already seen: Mike Bloomberg is trying to quite literally buy votes from felons in Florida; in Pennsylvania, absentee ballots for President Trump were found in a dumpster; and in Minnesota, Democrat operatives were caught on camera discussing forcible illegal ballot harvesting. Democrats ignore all this. They are not on the floor to condemn any of it. As a matter of fact, they have ignored it the same way they ignored the riots and arson and violence in America's cities, the same way they ignore the antifa goon squads and the gangs of fascists in brown shirts who threaten to harm anyone who does not want America to become their communist woketopia. Democrats ignore criminality when it helps them and because they not- so-secretly believe that anyone who is punched or maimed or assaulted by antifa might deserve it, especially if they are a member of our brave law enforcement. Democrats ignore these heinous acts of violence when the victims are Republican or when they are pro-life or when they are Trump supporters. Those lives don't matter to Democrats. But they are more than happy to burn America to the ground when they think it will help them. This resolution is part of the Democrats' plan to lay the groundwork for a color revolution, the ousting of an elected leader and calling it democracy. But that is not democracy. It is nothing less than the destruction of our cherished Nation. I unequivocally support the peaceful transfer of power but will vote ``no'' on this resolution, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. I will pray that America survives the Democrats' mad and destructive lust for power.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Elizabeth Mann as the Santa Rosa County Teacher of the Year. Ms. Mann has served the Santa Rosa County School District with talent, passion, and an unwavering commitment to serving her students. In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the Nation. Teaching is a difficult profession, yet immensely rewarding. Ms. Mann has performed her teaching duties exceptionally, while also being an active and supportive member of our Northwest Florida community. Her passion for teaching stemmed from her childhood, as both of her parents served as educators. I commend her for her steadfast willingness to serve those that matter most--the students and youth of our Nation. Ms. Mann has set an example for all of her students, and has achieved the excellence that we strive for in Northwest Florida. For all of her contributions to our community, I am truly proud to have Ms. Mann as a constituent in Florida's First Congressional District. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Ms. Elizabeth Mann for her many accomplishments, and her deep commitment to excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collaboration in the Santa Rosa County School District. I thank her for her service, and I wish her all the best for her continued success.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Petty Officer Kwame Kusi-Appiah as the 2020 Margaret Flowers Award recipient. This award goes to military members who have served their communities, apart from their active duty capacity. Petty Officer Kusi-Appiah is a member of the United States Navy, as well as an upstanding citizen of Florida's First Congressional District. In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the bravest individuals in our nation. Our district has been gifted with a population that is deeply rooted in military service. Petty Officer Kusi-Appiah has shown his willingness to serve our nation through his service with the Navy, being the Leading Petty Officer for the Blue Angels' Supply Department, as well as his willing to serve the community around him. Petty Officer Kusi-Appiah was the Detachment Leading Petty Officer for the 2019 Winter Training Detachment, and supported 32 different sites during the year. Even though he was on the road for much of the year, he devoted 525 hours to the local Big Brothers program, the United Service Organization, and local elementary Schools. He has also been the mentor to a local second grade student. In addition to volunteering, Petty Officer Kusi-Appiah is the command organizing and certifying official for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, coordinating over 3,000 hours of service to the community and producing 7 awards. For all of his admirable contributions to our community, I am truly proud to have Petty Officer Kusi-Appiah as a constituent of Florida's First Congressional District. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Petty Officer Kwame Kusi-Appiah for his many accomplishments, and his commitment to altruism and excellence in our district. I thank him for all of his service and wish him all the best for his continued success.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I come to vote my heart. Saddam died more than a decade ago, and even the faintest echoes of his regime have long dissolved. So if we are unable to declare victory and bring our troops home at this time after Saddam is dead, after his regime has evaporated, after ISIS has collapsed, then no war is ever truly winnable and every authorization is an authorization for a forever war. Let's not hand the 21st century off to China as we toil in the Middle East. Instead of sending America's bravest patriots to the bloodstained sands of the Middle East, let's care for our veterans here at home. Instead of wasting American treasure bombing and rebuilding Iraq, let's rebuild our own great Nation. Let's secure the U.S. border with Mexico before we send the next soldier, sailor, dollar, or marine to secure Iraq's border with Iran. Instead of ill-fated adventurism, let's put America first. Keeping U.S. Forces in Iraq is not what President Trump wants. It is not what the American people want. It is not what the Iraq parliament wants. The best time to vote against the Iraq war would have been in 2002. The second best time is today.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor and remember the life of one of northwest Florida's great public servants, my friend and one of my mentors, Mayor Randall Wise. Mayor Randall Wise was born in 1930 in Niceville, Florida, and spent his entire life as a dedicated servant to our town. He began his career in service in the 1950s as a member of the city council. In 1971, he was appointed to the position of mayor, and to the day of his death, he served as mayor. He was one of the longest serving public officials in America, and he was the longest serving mayor in the State of Florida. His leadership reverberated throughout many projects in our community, including a senior center, a library, and more. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I recognize this remarkable man for his selfless service to our community, his State, and our Nation. I am grateful for his lasting contributions to our town.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, I take a backseat to no Member of this body when it comes to defending the President. This resolution offers no criticism of the President, no critique. It doesn't criticize the President's attack on Soleimani. As a matter fact, this resolution doesn't even say Soleimani's name in it. Yet it does articulate our very robust basis for self-defense, at times even preemptory self-defense to defend our troops. And it also articulates our nondelegable duty as the Members of the United States Congress to speak to matters of war and peace. I represent more troops than any other Member of this body. I buried one of them earlier today at Arlington, and that sergeant died a patriot and a hero. If the members of our armed services have the courage to go and fight and die in these wars, as Congress, we ought to have the courage to vote for them or against them. And I think it is ludicrous to suggest that we are impairing the troops from doing their job by not doing our job articulated in the Constitution to speak to these matters of war and peace. I support the President. Killing Soleimani was the right decision, but engaging in another forever war in the Middle East would be the wrong decision, and that is why I am voting for this resolution.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, this is not about Ukraine. It is about power. Donald Trump has it, and House Democrats want it. With no crime, no victim, no evidence, no proof, no agenda for America, this impeachment charade marches on, following no rules and adhering to no sense of honor. The American people aren't fooled by dirty tricks. Voters will never forget that Democrats have been triggered into impeaching the President because they don't like him and they don't like us. Those who vote ``yes'' on today's Articles of Impeachment must carry the heavy burden of shame and guilt for as long as they serve in Congress, which won't be long because the American people will remember in November. Democrats would rather trip the President just to see him stumble than see America succeed. They would rather impeach the President than work together for the common good of our country and our citizens. Democrats may have won the House in 2018, but they haven't forgiven Donald Trump for having the audacity to win the Presidency. And they haven't forgiven you, the American people, for voting for him. The day before she was sworn in to Congress, one Member of the body said she promised to impeach the mothereffer. She is not alone. Trump's impeachment was plotted and planned before the ink was even dry on his election certificate and, possibly, before some Democrats could even point to Ukraine on a map. In seeking the chairmanship of the Committee on the Judiciary, the gentleman from New York said that he was the strongest Member to lead a potential impeachment. Democrats may not have known why they were going to impeach the President, but they knew it was an inevitability, facts be damned. This impeachment is a slap in the face to the millions of Americans who voted for President Trump. The same Americans who Democrats in Washington have mocked as smelly Walmart shoppers and ``deplorables.'' Madam Speaker, this impeachment isn't legitimate. It is the radical left's insurance policy. But we have an insurance policy, too. It is the next election, and we intend to win it.