Matt Gaetz

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, I am joined here with members of the Florida, Georgia, and Alabama delegations because on December 6, in the early hours of the day, our Nation learned of a terrorist attack unfolding at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The attack took the lives of Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson of Coffee County, Alabama; Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham of St. Petersburg, Florida; and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters of Richmond Hill, Georgia. We congregate here today to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and those who were wounded during the course of this egregious attack. Those who wear the uniform inspire the best within us because they are truly the best among us. They are our sons and daughters, our fathers and mothers. Last Friday, three of them were taken from us, and we shall not forget their names, or those who have been impacted by that terrible attack. I request all present, both on the floor and in the gallery, to rise for a moment of silence; and I am proud and honored to be joined by my colleagues.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and remember the life of one of Northwest Florida's most notable citizens, Commander Sammy L. Vickers, who passed away on March 29, 2018. Commander Vickers was born in 1946, in Corpus Christi, TX, and lived a lifetime full of impressive and dedicated service to our nation. Commander Vickers served heroically in the United States Navy for 22 years. As a P-3C Orion pilot during the tumultuous years of the Cold War, Commander Vickers patrolled the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans hunting Russian submarines. His dedication to duty helped ensure the safety of millions of grateful Americans. Commander Vickers was later assigned to VP-6 in Hawaii and VP-5 in Jacksonville, Florida. He also served aboard the USS Eisenhower, CVN 69. Commander Vickers' service in the United States military culminated as the Executive Officer at Whiting Field in Florida, where he eventually retired. However, Commander Vickers' life of service did not conclude with his retirement from the United States Navy. In 1995, Commander Vickers served the Santa Rosa community as the Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. Following his time with the Santa Rosa Chamber, Commander Vickers devoted his time to leading the Pace High School Navy JROTC unit. He served as unit commander for 18 years, leading Pace High School to top national honors in 2003. Even during his time as the unit leader of the Pace High School Navy JROTC, Commander Vickers continued to selflessly devote himself to our community as he partnered with several other community organizations. Commander Vickers consistently dedicated his time to the service of others. Commander Vickers was revered and loved by all who knew him. To honor his extraordinary legacy, the traditional ``Celebrating Our Veterans'' ceremony at Pace High School will be renamed ``Commander Sam Vickers Celebration of America at Pace High School.'' On behalf of the United States Congress, I recognize and honor a remarkable man for his selfless service to his country. I am grateful for his lasting contributions to our community and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of a faithful and dedicated American hero.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Mr. Clifford Long, Chairman of the Emerald Coast Military Affairs Council. Mr. Long served the area in this role since 2007. In 1998, the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce bestowed a special ``President's Award'' upon him to recognize his many years of dedication to the Military Affairs Council and Florida's military mission. Mr. Long contributed his expertise and guidance in many different capacities. He served as Chairman of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council from 1989 to 2007 and as chamber president from 1971 to 1972. Mr. Long also served on the Board of Directors for the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council's Defense Support Initiative. His life was lived in service to our community, serving as liaison and support between local business and the military community. He was a strong advocate for the region's military presence, and worked diligently with the highest levels of Air Force leadership. He dedicated his life to contributing to the growth of the defense presence in Northwest Florida, and advocating for military officers. He was a true patriot. In 2002, Mr. Long was awarded the Air Force Association ``Civilian of the Year'' award at their annual conference recognizing his outstanding efforts and dedication to the military and its mission. That same year, he was named a ``Life Director'' of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the many years he dedicated to the growth and development of the chamber and the local area. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is my honor to recognize Mr. Clifford H. Long, and his life of service to Northwest Florida. I thank him for his impact on our community, and send my deepest condolences to his entire family.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, if Turkey is not acting like a NATO ally, perhaps the sensible solution is to remove Turkey from NATO, rather than keeping the United States inserted in Syria, presumably forever. This is why I oppose this resolution. I have heard my colleagues say we should not leave Syria without a strategy. Perhaps it is equally logical that we should not stay in Syria without a strategy, because in Syria we have tens of Americans stuck between armies of tens of thousands who have been fighting each other for hundreds of years and who will likely be fighting each other hundreds of years from now. Our mission to deprive ISIS of caliphate land has largely been accomplished with the help of the Kurds and with over $9 billion being paid to the Kurds. The Kurds have been fighting bravely where they live, but they have been trained, funded, and equipped by the United States. And we cannot accept the proposition that if we support a group of people because our interests align in one case that this somehow morally binds our country to every conflict that they have past, present, or future; to do this would constrain the utility of America's future alliances, not strengthen them. The blood of America's patriots is among our Nation's most sacred currency, and it must be spent only when absolutely vital to protect American interests. We are not the world's police force. We are not the world's piggy bank. I support an America first foreign policy, and I oppose this resolution.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, the transcript has now been released of the phone conversation between President Trump and President Zelensky. The evidence is clear, unfortunately, that the Speaker of the House of Representatives has been functionally catfished into a politically fatal impeachment proceeding based on rumors, based on faulty evidence, and based on a bloodlust for the President, politically, that does not serve our Nation well. Let me give you the high points. There is no quid pro quo between President Trump and President Zelensky for anything, much less military aid. There is no eight times a reference to Joe Biden. I think The Wall Street Journal will have a good deal of retracting to do today. In fact, President Zelensky, himself, identifies the rooting out of corruption as the reason for his election. Early on in the conversation between President Trump and President Zelensky, President Zelensky says: We, here in Ukraine, are trying to drain the swamp much in the way you are working to drain the swamp in the United States of America. This wasn't a call about leverage. This wasn't a call about threats. This was a mutually appreciative and mutually laudatory call between two leaders who are trying to clean up some of the garbage in their respective countries that has polluted politics. Now, the President does ask for a favor from President Zelensky, but the favor is on behalf of our Nation. The favor we seek is cooperation between the Zelensky government and Attorney General Bill Barr as we work to determine what activities in Ukraine may have been in any way involved in the 2016--not 2020, but 2016--efforts to interfere with the United States election. The President even references CrowdStrike, attempting to get to the bottom of these improper actions, which, again, may have emanated from Ukraine. John Solomon with The Hill has a great deal of reporting on that very question. Zelensky ran against corruption. Thus, it would be only appropriate that, in a conversation about that election victory, they would discuss and reference what are, obviously, mutual goals between the United States and Ukraine to have the world safer for democracy. The President also mentions Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Let me be clear about this: Mayor Giuliani has every right to go to Ukraine to try to ascertain whether or not activities in that country were harming his client as a result of the corrupt connections that may have existed between the DNC and some elements in Ukraine. I feel like we have been here before. House Democrats told us it was all about collusion. We had to wait for the Mueller report. Well, when the Mueller report falls flat on collusion, then it is all about obstruction of justice. Until Robert Mueller testifies and that falls flat, then it is all about abuse of power. Until the Democrats go to court and are unable to make the case in court that there has been an abuse of power. Now, lo and behold, it is all about Ukraine. Do you know what? I saw this movie as it related to Russia. I didn't like it very much, and I doubt I am going to enjoy the cheap Ukrainian knockoff. The Speaker has embraced these concerns. I fear that her embrace of impeachment does great damage to the House of Representatives. There may be a time where we have to solemnly exercise our impeachment powers because there is true crime or corruption, and the Speaker's actions have embarrassed the United States Congress and harm our entire country. President Zelensky, in this call, indicates that he will conduct an investigation into corruption. It is a promise not only that he made to President Trump but that he made to his own citizens. In that promise, President Zelensky says that any investigation will be both open and candid, open and candid investigations of corruption of election meddling. I sure would like to see that level of candidness and openness in our House of Representatives. Certainly, my greatest hope is that the Attorney General's investigation into the corrupt origins of the efforts to smear the President of the United States will be exposed and those responsible will go to jail. That is how we restore honor to this House. That is how we solve and heal some of the great wounds that were inflicted on this body by the Speaker yesterday. Maybe next time the radical left will wait for the facts before engaging in a reflexive, fact-free impeachment.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry) for yielding, and it is on behalf of those cannabis patients in Fort Walton Beach and across the Sunshine State that I rise in support of the SAFE Banking Act. I am proud to have been a part of drafting Florida's medical marijuana laws, and it is ludicrous that the Congress of the United States would stand between people operating under the color of State law and their ability to access the financial system. It is good for no one to have billions of dollars rolling around outside of the accountabilities, efficiencies, and safeguards that the American financial system provides. A vast majority of States have legalized some form of cannabis, and if a business is legal in that State, it should have the same financial protections as any other business. I am a proud original cosponsor of the SAFE Banking Act, and I thank my colleagues for their tireless work on this issue. I know the bill is not perfect. I expect the bill to get better in the Senate, but hopefully, this will build some commonsense momentum for real cannabis reform. Let's get this drug off the schedule I list and do right for the great people in the country.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Chair, if drilling off Florida is the only thing that is going to keep us from having high energy prices and a reliance on foreign energy, I don't know why that hasn't happened yet. Right now, we are not drilling off the coast of Florida, and we are energy dominant in the world. We are not drilling off the coast of Florida, and we continue to see energy prices dropping. As my colleague Representative Castor said, 69 percent of Floridians do not want to see drilling off our shores. Madam Chair, if you would like to drill off the coast of Louisiana or South Carolina, I would say have at it, but leave my beloved Florida alone. There are many reasons to oppose drilling off Florida's shores: our environment, our tourism economy, and our real property values. But I come to the floor today to plead the case for northwest Florida's military mission. The Gulf of Mexico test range is one of the only places in the world where we launch live-fire over water and land it on land. I cannot believe that I have to come here to make the argument that it is an incredibly stupid idea to launch experimental missiles over active oil rigs. That would seem to be obvious to most people. I know it is obvious to many in my district. This military mission is what keeps us safe. It is ludicrous to suggest that we have more to fear from LNG from Russia than we have from a China that continues to close the technological capability edge with our country. The Gulf test range is one of the places where we will be testing hypersonic and supersonic weapons. If we do not continue to maintain that advantage, everybody had better brush up on their Mandarin because we won't be able to protect our country, and that is the far more significant venture. In Florida, we will protect our environment from the Congress. Please don't do anything to harm us.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center (CILDRC). That is committed as epitomized in their mission statement, ``to assist individuals with disabilities achieve their goals of independence''. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed July 26, 1990, put into law the ideal that Americans with disabilities should not be discriminated against when going about their daily life. This includes, equal employment, opportunity, public building access areas, and other accommodating services. Expanding upon these, CILDRC assists those with disabilities in asserting their freedoms to become independent. The CILDRC assists, both, our communities and individuals with disabilities by offering work experience programs to receive the knowledge required to go into the workforce and to contribute to businesses and organizations across Northwest Florida. This year is the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The CILDRC luncheon is celebrating the importance of the ADA and reaffirms that the ADA is vital in protecting those in our communities with disabilities. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to congratulate the Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center (CILDRC) on their efforts to make an impact with and on behalf of people with disabilities in our communities.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 100th birthday of Lt. Col. Samuel Lombardo in honor of his service to our country. Mr. Lombardo and his family legally immigrated to the United States of America from Italy when he was just 10 years old. He grew up in Pennsylvania, where he enlisted to serve in the Army National Guard's 28th Infantry Division just one month following the start of World War II. After training, he was deployed to Europe, where served as platoon leader and executive officer of I Company, 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Division. He served in the ``Battle of the Bulge,'' and he continued his service to America in the Korean conflict and in the Vietnam War. Throughout his service to our county, Lt. Colonel Lombardo earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with ``V Device'' for valor, as well as an oak leaf cluster for meritorious achievement, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, United Nations Medal, Vietnam Expeditionary Forces Medal, French Legion of Honor, the Belgian Fourragare, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Madam Speaker, please join me in support of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners in Florida Congressional District One, as they declare this day, July 12, 2019, to be ``Samuel Lombardo Day.''

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and for our work together on this issue. Madam Chair, I represent the district in this Congress that has the highest concentration of active duty military. If my constituents are called to war with Iran, they will go without hesitation or question. They will fight and win decisive victory, and I am incredibly proud of them. But if they must deploy the patriotism to go downrange and win this war, we should at least have the courage to vote for it or vote against it, every darn one of us. And if my war-hungry colleagues, some of whom have already suggested that we invade Venezuela, North Korea, and probably a few other countries before lunchtime tomorrow; if they are so certain of their case against Iran, let them bring their authorization to use military force against Iran to this very floor. Let them make the case to Congress and to the American people. Let them show the military families in my district what their loved ones will fight for and die for. If we do that, then I think we serve the country well. My constituents are doing their part, and I think it is about time Congress does our part and speak to these critical matters of war and peace.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I have been to the detention facilities in Yuma, Arizona, where I have seen the individuals who committed the crime of unlawful entry into our country, who have been detained, and who are kept in undeniably wretched conditions. The stench, the level of care, the inadequate training and facilities provided to our Homeland Security officials create conditions that are ripe for the vulnerable to be taken advantage of and to truly be harmed. The question is not whether or not circumstances have fallen below our standards; the question is what has led to these circumstances. The inability of my colleagues in the majority to reform our asylum laws so people aren't incentivized to come to our country illegally, bringing small children with them, is a stain on this institution. The inability to secure our border so we don't have 1 percent of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador moving into our country every few months is indefensible. And the inability to build a physical barrier or a wall to keep people from coming into our country illegally will ultimately erode the fabric of our Nation if we do not act quickly. We can resolve these problems. It wasn't too long ago the Democrats used to agree with us on this stuff.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, in the afternoon of June 20, 2019, I voted in favor of Rep. Golden of Maine's Part B Amendment No. 70 to H.R. 3055, stating that none of the funds in the underlying bill may be used for NOAA to utilize a North Atlantic right whale Risk Reduction Decision Support Tool (Roll Call No. 372). I intended to vote against this amendment.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, after the Mueller report, we now know that President Trump was falsely accused of engaging in a criminal conspiracy with Russia for 22 months. So the question is, what to do now that we are aware of that false accusation? Democrats believe that the right approach is to tweeze through all the President's reactions to being falsely accused. Republicans believe that we should figure out what the root was of the false accusations in the first place. As we endeavor upon that work, we see across the rotunda in the Senate that harassment of the First Family continues. Donald Trump, Jr., will be hauled before a Senate committee tomorrow because his prior testimony purportedly conflicts with the testimony of Mr. Gates and Mr. Cohen, people who are either in prison for lying or going to prison for lying. It is past time to stop the harassment of the President and the First Family, acknowledge those who engaged in false accusations for an extended period of time, and figure out how in the world such an accusation was able to be funded by the DNC, cooked up in the Obama White House, and then polluted by Russians. We can do a lot better, and we are going to figure out what happened.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, by expanding American energy, expelling diplomats, and ensuring that the United States takes its position in the world, President Trump has been tougher on Russia than any President in a generation. But the fact remains that the Russian military attacked the U.S. election. And so it would seem reasonable that, along with the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the CIA, we would want the United States military offering the full suite of capabilities, both offensive and defensive, to combat Russian election interference. Today, the House Armed Services Committee held a classified briefing on the U.S. military and their participation in this critical mission. I was deeply disappointed in what I learned. The U.S. military is not sufficiently engaged or informed on critical aspects of the Russian election interference campaign. They don't even know which two Florida counties were hacked. And when DOD sent 11 people to go work with the Department of Homeland Security to have the full suite of authorities available to respond to Russia, they were told they weren't needed. Russia has a whole-of-government approach to this problem, and I would urge us to work in a bipartisan way in the Defense Authorization Act to ensure that we are ready with our full authorities to defeat Russia and their efforts to interfere with our election.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Dr. William Bowen, professor of political science at Pensacola Christian College, for his twenty-six years of exemplary service and investment in Northwest Florida. Dr. Bowen began his service at Pensacola Christian College in 1992 when he approached the founder and president, Dr. Horton, about the possibility of establishing a political science program at the College. At this time, the College only offered a political science minor. In 1993, Dr. Bowen officially joined the faculty of Pensacola Christian College and began establishing the curriculum for the foundational courses in PCC's political science concentration. By the fall of 2004, the political science concentration was officially offered under Dr. Bowen's guidance and expertise. Dr. Bowen singlehandedly developed the entire political science program at Pensacola Christian College. He has been responsible for the curriculum development and teaching of every political science elective offered at the College; moreover, he has also developed two graduate- level courses for PCC's Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a History specialization. Dr. Bowen's biblical worldview, understanding of America's founding, and keen awareness of political trends have helped to shape one of the most successful programs in the Humanities Department of Pensacola Christian College. His faithful service and unrivaled scholarship have earned him a place among the College's most distinguished faculty members. Dr. Bowen's wisdom and insight have been an inspiration and guide for all his students, many of whom have become influential leaders in Northwest Florida and across America. Some of Dr. Bowen's students have attained the heights of American leadership, becoming influential leaders in Washington, D.C. Dr. Bowen's commitment to excellence in instruction has challenged his students to reach new heights of scholastic achievement. His exemplary scholarship has made him an invaluable instructor in both national and state issues. Dr. Bowen has a profound influence on the lives of each of the students he instructs. The strength of America lies in the education of its future leaders, and it is an honor for me to have exceptional professors in our district such as Dr. William Bowen who are faithfully training future American leaders that will one day shape the destiny of our great country. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to congratulate Dr. William Bowen for his twenty-six years of service and the exemplary legacy he leaves for the future leaders of America.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, after meeting with President Trump yesterday regarding the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, I rise to praise the Trump administration for its mindful and strategic response to conditions in that country. All options must be on the table, including military force. My constituents would likely be among the first in that fight. I am incredibly proud of them. If asked, they will successfully execute any mission that they are called to do. Policymakers have an obligation not to send any of America's sons and daughters into any ill-advised conflict. The Trump administration clearly understands the risks associated with military intervention in Venezuela at this time. They include a few things. First, if the United States military were to have troops on the ground in Venezuela today, it is very likely that the Maduro regime would scapegoat their own failures. The people of Venezuela voted their way into socialism, and now it appears they have to fight their way out of it. While this should be a lesson to us all, military intervention should not be presented as an opportunity for the Maduro regime to explain away why people in Venezuela have no medicine, have no food, are starving, and at times see their own countrymen turning tanks and weapons against them. Those failures belong to the Maduro regime. Those failures belong to the socialist dictatorship. Were we to intervene in an unwise way, potentially, that would create confusion about the conditions that led to these terrible circumstances. Second, if the United States military were to intervene at this time, it is my concern that it would allow the Maduro regime to externalize their conflict. It is no surprise to any in this Chamber or many in the Trump administration that there remains some latent resentment within pockets of Latin America regarding U.S. intervention, regime change, and nation-building. At a time when we are seeing democratic successes and governments stood up that are beginning to provide for their citizens, it would be deeply unwise to stoke any anti-American resentment with ill-advised conflict. Right now, Maduro functionally lacks material support from the forward-thinking countries in the Western Hemisphere, and we would not want to create any opportunity for there to be a call to the new Bolivarian alliance. Ultimately, that is what a lot of these transnational criminal organizations want in Venezuela. They want to erode nation-states and borders. They want to end nationalism in our hemisphere so that they have a more permissive environment for their illicit activities. Third, the Trump administration clearly understands that, if the United States were deemed to be too involved in the popular uprising in Venezuela, Maduro would potentially have the opportunity to deny the organic desires of Venezuelans to fight for their own freedom. The reason people are rising up in Venezuela right now is not a consequence of the United States Government. It is a consequence of the failures of their own government and their passionate desire for freedom, one that we should stand with the people of Venezuela to execute. Despite these conditions and despite the challenges, I remain hopeful that there is a brighter future for Venezuela. As we meet and gather now, Juan Guaido is able to go about the country freely. Despite not having a military, despite not having staff, he is able to rally thousands of his fellow countrymen in public squares and make the argument for freedom. Meanwhile, the coward Maduro remains huddled up in a military base, unable to move around and unsure who will turn on him next. If the last quarter century has taught our country anything about the nature of freedom, it is that freedom has to be fought for hardest by those who yearn to live it. Freedom cannot be the gift that America gives other countries, purchased solely with the currency of the blood of U.S. servicemembers. People have to fight for freedom and earn it. They have to die for it. They have to bury their relatives over it. Then they have to love it and care for it so much that they will never let another strongman take it away from them and so that they will never fall victim to the passions that led Venezuela down this dark path to socialism, dictatorship, starvation, and desperation. We stand with the people of Venezuela, and they must stand now to fight for a better future for their country.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank Dr. Dunn for the work, not only in ripening this issue, but also in crafting disaster response legislation that would work for the people impacted by Hurricane Michael. I also want to thank the gentleman from Georgia, Austin Scott. Well before others were speaking out on this issue, Dr. Dunn and Mr. Scott were working very hard to ensure that the needs of our constituents were adequately represented. Madam Speaker, disasters give us time to rise to the occasion as leaders in our community. They give us the chance to inspire people on their worst day, and to ensure that those who carry the disproportionate burden of challenge will be assisted and helped by their fellow countrymen and women in the United States of America. But sadly, following Hurricane Michael, we have not, as a Congress, risen to the occasion, particularly in the Senate, where there is no movement now on legislation, before a two-week recess, to address the terrible tragedy of Hurricane Michael. It is unfathomable to me that every other major storm that has hit our country, named, has received a disaster supplemental. And I guess the constituents that I serve, that Dr. Dunn, that Mr. Scott serve wonder, What is so special about us? What is so different about the people of South Georgia, South Alabama, North Florida, that we would be left out? Is it that Hurricane Michael blew at less of a rate of wind? No. Is it that it dumped less rain? I guess it's just that the people impacted by Michael are unique victims of a broken system in Washington that careens from disaster to disaster itself, rather than focusing on the disasters impacting our constituents. And, Madam Speaker, what is so deeply tragic about this is that as folks are trying to put their lives, and their schools, and their families, and their churches back together, we are moving into the summer lightning storm season in my community, and they are going to be victimized all over again, because we have got 72 million cubic tons of fuel on the ground in North Florida and South Georgia, and South Alabama, and with the first lightning storm that is going to ignite. And so, as my Democrat colleagues, in a matter of a day or so, prepare for their retreat, my constituents prepare, not for a retreat, but for the advance of fires that will take their homes, their lives, their farms, their livelihoods, and their hope for a brighter future. So I beg, I plead, I implore my colleagues, let's look past the politics of this moment. Let's realize that it could be any of our districts uniquely impacted by a storm, or a fire, or an earthquake or some other terrible disaster; and that, while on most days, we wear our jerseys and suit up and compete against one another in the marketplace of ideas, let's come together as one team, as one country, and do right by those who are suffering from these terrible tragedies. Again, I thank my colleague from Florida for yielding time, and I thank him for his leadership.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to raise the concerns of Floridians and Georgians who still await a supplemental appropriation from the Congress. Every other major storm and disaster received a supplemental appropriation, but for some reason, victims of Hurricane Michael remain waiting. The Air Force, expecting an appropriation, began the process of rebuilding Tyndall Air Force Base. This morning, the Air Force put out news that they have run out of O&M funds. What does this mean? It means that, as of this morning, we have deferred 61 required facility projects at bases in 18 States across our country. It means that, on May 1, we will stop work on Tyndall Air Force Base, failing to meet our obligations to rebuild. It means that, on May 15, the Air Force will cut aircraft repairs, potentially endangering our pilots' safety when flying and limiting their training capacity. Ultimately, it means that, on September 1, we will cut 18,000 training flying hours. This is unacceptable in the current global environment. We must act now to ensure that the men and women serving in the Air Force are furnished with the tools to accomplish their missions. This is our job as the Congress, and we need to do it immediately, since there are very few legislative days remaining before the Easter break.

Mr. GAETZ

Mr. GAETZ. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. With all due respect to the gentleman from Arizona, he is very weird in that he runs his congressional office like a think tank where people contemplate the ways that technology can improve healthcare and the environment in a nonpartisan way, because these are not issues that have anything to do with whether someone is a Republican or a Democrat. But so many of these ideas that the gentleman and I have discussed for years fail to make their way into the most dynamic economy and marketplace in the world, which is the United States of America. So my question for the gentleman is: How do we go from the innovative space of great Americans coming up with sensor technology to action in the Congress or within our government that is worthy of the great people we serve?

Mr. GAETZ. I will.

Mr. GAETZ. Was it a refundable tax credit or was it an upfront credit?

Mr. GAETZ. So it is a production tax credit?

Mr. GAETZ. I would ask the gentleman, as we try to take these good ideas that seem to not be emerging from the Federal Government but from several States and from local communities that are doing some of their own great work, I feel at times like you have got one party here that thinks that Big Government is always the answer, and you have another party who thinks that big business is always the answer, and at times these technological solutions come from neither. They come from the creative class, the innovative class.

Mr. GAETZ. So what is the get-out-of-jail-free card so that we can liberate ourselves from a policymaking climate that seems to be more robust in virtue signaling than in actually following data?