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'{{short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Matt Gaetz |image = Matt Gaetz.png |state = [[Florida]] |district = {{ushr|FL|1|1st}} |term_start = January 3, 2017 |term_end = |predecessor = [[Jeff Miller (Florida politician)|Jeff Miller]] |successor = |state_house1 = Florida |district1 = 4th |term_start1 = April 13, 2010 |term_end1 = November 8, 2016 |predecessor1 = [[Ray Sansom]] |successor1 = [[Mel Ponder]] |birth_name = Matthew Louis Gaetz II |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|5|7}} |birth_place = [[Hollywood, Florida]], U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |education = [[Florida State University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br>[[College of William & Mary|College of William and Mary]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) |website = {{url|gaetz.house.gov|House website}} |}} '''Matthew Louis Gaetz II'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://voterrecords.com/voter/14498871/matthew-gaetz |title=Full Name: Matthew Louis Gaetz II |website=Voterrecords.com |access-date=2018-02-05}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|ɡ|eɪ|t|s}} "gates"; born May 7, 1982) is the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for {{ushr|FL|1}} since 2017, where he serves on the Budget, Armed Services, and Judiciary Committees. He is a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. Prior to serving in Congress he was a member of the [[Florida House of Representatives]], representing the 4th District, which includes most of [[Okaloosa County, Florida|Okaloosa County]], from 2010 to 2016. He has also worked as an attorney in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. ==Early life and education== Gaetz was born in [[Hollywood, Florida]], to Victoria "Vicky" (Quertermous) and politician [[Don Gaetz]], and grew up in the Fort Walton Beach, Florida area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gaetz.house.gov/issues/biography|title=Biography|website=Congressman Matt Gaetz|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/five-questions-don-gaetz|title=Five Questions for Don Gaetz|date=November 9, 2012|first=Margie|last=Menzel|work=Sunshine State News|agency=The News Service of Florida}}</ref> He graduated from [[Florida State University]] in 2003 and from The [[College of William and Mary]] in 2007 with a [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] (law) degree.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.martindale.com/Matthew-Gaetz/24932780-lawyer.htm|title=Matthew Gaetz|work=[[Martindale-Hubbell]]|accessdate=July 11, 2015}}</ref> ==Florida House of Representatives== [[File:Governor-elect Rick Scott talking with state legislators about his plans - Shalimar, Florida.jpg|thumb|right|Gaetz with [[Rick Scott]] in 2010]] In 2010, following the resignation of [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Florida House of Representatives|State Representative]] [[Ray Sansom]] due to [[corruption]] charges,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional/florida-house-speaker-ray-sansom-resigns/nL4q6/|title=Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom resigns|date=February 21, 2010|accessdate=May 2, 2014|work=[[The Palm Beach Post]]|first=Michael|last=Bender}}</ref> Gaetz ran in the special election to succeed Sansom in the 4th District, which included southern [[Santa Rosa County, Florida|Santa Rosa County]] and [[Okaloosa County, Florida|Okaloosa County]]. In a crowded [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] primary that included Craig Barker, Kabe Woods, [[Jerry G. Melvin]], and Bill Garvie, Gaetz won with 43% of the vote. In the special general election, Gaetz defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee Jan Fernald, winning 66% of the vote. He was unopposed for a full term in 2010. In 2012, following the reconfiguration of [[Florida House of Representatives]] districts, Gaetz's district no longer contained any of Santa Rosa County. He was reelected, unopposed, in 2012 and 2014. While serving in the state house, Gaetz joined with [[Florida State Senate|State Senator]] [[Joe Negron]] to propose legislation "designed to accelerate the execution of many of the 404 inmates on Florida's death row" by requiring the [[Governor of Florida|Governor]] to sign a death warrant for those inmates who have exhausted their appeals,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/florida-house-approves-speeding-up-executions/2117426|title=Florida House approves speeding up executions|date=April 25, 2013|accessdate=May 2, 2014|work=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|first=Mary Ellen|last=Klas}}</ref> noting, "Only God can judge. But we can sure set up the meeting."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2013/11/07/matt_gaetz_meet_the_aggressive_ideologue_who_s_chairing_florida_s_stand.html|title=Meet the Uncompromising Ideologue Chairing Florida's "Stand Your Ground" Hearings|date=November 7, 2013|accessdate=May 2, 2014|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|first=Justin|last=Peters}}</ref> He also joined forces with State Senator [[Greg Evers]] to propose legislation that eliminated the federal [[Ethanol fuel in the United States|ethanol content]] mandate that 10% of gasoline sold in [[Florida]] contain ethanol;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.wfsu.org/post/ethanol-fuels-evaporate-under-house-bill|title=Ethanol Fuels To Evaporate Under House Bill|date=April 12, 2013|accessdate=May 2, 2014|work=[[WFSU-TV]]|first=Tom|last=Flanigan}}</ref><ref name="huffpost20170131" /> the legislation was signed by Governor [[Rick Scott]] in May 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/01/florida-ethanol-bill_n_3370605.html|title=Rick Scott Signs Ethanol Bill Repealing Required Percentage Statute|last=McLaughlin|first=Tom|date=June 1, 2013|work=[[HuffPost]]|accessdate=November 3, 2017|agency=[[Northwest Florida Daily News]]}}</ref> Following the trial of [[George Zimmerman]] for the shooting of [[Trayvon Martin]], [[Will Weatherford]], the [[Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives]], announced that he would order hearings on the "[[Stand-your-ground law|stand-your-ground]]" law that was raised as an issue during the trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/weatherford-calls-for-hearings-on-stand-your-ground/2134563|title=Weatherford calls for hearings on 'stand your ground'|date=August 2, 2013|accessdate=May 2, 2014|work=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|first=Michael|last=Van Sickler}}</ref> Gaetz, the Chairman of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, was tasked with reviewing the legislation, and announced before hearings that he would not support changing "one damn comma," though he indicated that he would listen to both sides' testimony during the hearings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/matt-gaetz-to-rally-base-ahead-of-syg-hearing/2137830|title=Matt Gaetz to rally base ahead of Stand Your Ground hearing|date=August 22, 2013|accessdate=May 2, 2014|work=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|first=Tia|last=Mitchell}}</ref> Following the conclusion of the hearings, he authored legislation that would allow defendants who successfully used a "stand your ground" defense during their trial "to apply for a 'certificate of eligibility' to expunge information related to 'stand your ground' from their criminal records."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/25/amendment-would-cutjournalistsaccesstostandyourgroundrecords.html|title=Proposed 'stand your ground' amendment would expunge records|date=March 25, 2014|accessdate=May 2, 2014|work=[[Al Jazeera America]]|first=Dexter|last=Mullins}}</ref> When his subcommittee was considering legislation that would "keep mug shots of people who are charged with crimes off the Internet until they are convicted," Gaetz brought up his 2008 [[arrest]] for [[driving under the influence]], arguing that his mistakes made him who he is and that publicly available mug shots "could be a problem for those unaccustomed to publicity."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2014/02/matt-gaetz-wants-to-talk-about-his-mug-shot-but-not-his-arrest-.html|title=Matt Gaetz wants to talk about his mug shot, but not his arrest|date=February 18, 2014|accessdate=May 2, 2014|work=[[Miami Herald]]|first=Michael|last=Van Sickler}}</ref> ==2016 Florida Senate and U.S. House races== In 2013, Gaetz announced that in 2016 he would run for the 1st District state senate seat then held by his father, [[Don Gaetz|State Senator Don Gaetz]], who was due to be term-limited out of the Senate in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/matt-gaetz-makes-it-official-will-shoot-dads-senate-seat-2016|title=Matt Gaetz Makes It Official, Will Shoot for Dad's Senate Seat in 2016|date=May 13, 2013|accessdate=May 2, 2014|work=Sunshine State News|first=Jeff|last=Henderson}}</ref> On March 21, 2016, Gaetz withdrew from the state race, choosing instead to run for the U.S. House seat representing [[Florida's 1st congressional district]]; the incumbent, [[Jeff Miller (Florida politician)|Jeff Miller]], had announced eleven days earlier that he would not seek reelection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2016/03/matt-gaetz-launches-bid-for-congress-handing-fathers-state-senate-seat-to-george-gainer.html|title=Matt Gaetz launches bid for Congress, handing fathers state Senate seat to George Gainer|last=Clark|first=Kristen|date=March 21, 2016|work=[[Miami Herald]]}}</ref> On August 30, 2016, Gaetz won the Republican primary with 35.7% of the vote – defeating [[Greg Evers]] (21.5%), Cris Dosev (20.6%), and five other candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/2016-election/results/map/house/florida|title=Florida House Races Results|work=[[Politico]]|accessdate=September 6, 2016}}</ref> This effectively clinched the seat, because the 1st District is the most Republican in Florida, and one of the most Republican in the nation. In the November 8, 2016, general election, Gaetz defeated Democratic candidate Steven Specht with 69 percent of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/florida-house-district-1-specht-gaetz|title=Florida U.S. House 1st District Results: Matt Gaetz Wins|access-date=2017-08-02}}</ref> ==U.S. House of Representatives== [[File:Matt Gaetz at US 98 Interchange Completion.jpg|thumb|Matt Gaetz speaking at a celebration for the completion of the US 98 interchange]] On September 25, 2016, following the death of [[Miami Marlins|Miami Marlins']] [[pitcher]] [[José Fernández (pitcher)|José Fernández]], Gaetz criticized the [[2016 U.S. national anthem protests|athletes protesting during the national anthem]] in a tweet: "To all who will kneel during the anthem today – just remember how José Fernández risked his life just for the chance to stand for it".<ref>{{cite tweet|user=MattGaetz|number=780046438516396033|date=September 24, 2016|url=https://twitter.com/mattgaetz/status/780046438516396033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw|title=To all who will kneel during the anthem today - just remember how Jose Fernandez risked his life just for the chance to stand for it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/matt-gaetz-jose-fernandez-tweet_us_57e878d9e4b0e80b1ba2bdc7|title=GOP Lawmaker Matt Gaetz Ripped For Tweet Politicizing Death Of MLB Star Jose Fernandez|work=The Huffington Post|accessdate=September 27, 2016}}</ref> Gaetz was listed as a member of the moderate [[Republican Main Street Partnership]] from at least January to June 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mainstreetadvocacy.com/meet-three-of-our-freshmen-members-reps-gaetz-rutherford-and-marshall/|title=Meet Three of Our Freshmen Members: Reps. Gaetz, Rutherford, and Marshall|website=Main Street Advocacy|publisher=[[Republican Main Street Partnership]]|date=January 27, 2017|access-date=April 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Members |url=https://republicanmainstreet.org/members/ |publisher=Republican Main Street Partnership |accessdate=November 19, 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130102016/https://republicanmainstreet.org/members/ |archivedate=January 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Members |url=https://republicanmainstreet.org/members/ |publisher=Republican Main Street Partnership |accessdate=November 19, 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627214301/https://republicanmainstreet.org/members/ |archivedate=June 27, 2017}}</ref> On February 26, 2019, he sent a Tweet that amounted to witness tampering on the eve of President Trump’s former attorney and “fixer” Michael Cogen testifying before Congress. The Tweet read, “Hey @MichaelCohen212 - Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she’ll remain faithful when you’re in prison.  She’s about to learn a lot...” This Tweet was in clear violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(b), 1515(a)(1)(B). ===Committee assignments=== * '''[[United States House Committee on Armed Services|Committee on Armed Services]]''' ** [[United States House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations|Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations]] ** [[United States House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces|Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces]] * '''[[United States House Committee on the Budget|Committee on the Budget]]''' * '''[[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|Committee on the Judiciary]]''' ** [[United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet|Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet]] ** [[United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law|Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law]] * '''[[Republican Study Committee]]'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://rsc-walker.house.gov/about/membership|website=Republican Study Committee|accessdate=April 3, 2018}}</ref> == Political positions == ===Gun policy=== Gaetz has been called "one of the most pro-gun members to have ever served in the Florida Legislature" by former [[National Rifle Association|NRA]] president [[Marion Hammer]].<ref name="Gaetz">{{cite web |url=http://mattgaetz.com/about/ |title=Meet Matt Gaetz |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=Gaetz for Congress |publisher=Friends of Matt Gaetz |access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref> Gaetz is a "Lifetime Member" of the NRA,<ref name="Gaetz"/> and has an A+ rating from the NRA—its highest rating.<ref name="Tribune 2016">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=20 June 2016 |title=Florida GOP candidate to give away semi-automatic rifle |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-florida-gop-candidate-to-give-away-semi-automatic-rifle-20160620-story.html |work= Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois |access-date=22 February 2018 }}</ref> When Gaetz served in the Florida House of Representatives, he led an effort to allow Floridians with [[Concealed carry in the United States|concealed-weapons permits]] to carry those weapons openly in public,<ref name="Clark 2015">{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Kristen |date=6 October 2015 |title=Openly carry guns in Florida? Bill clears first hurdle in state House|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article38005020.html |work=Miami Herald |location=Miami, Florida |access-date=22 February 2018 }}</ref> which was ultimately unsuccessful. In lobbying for the passage of the bill, Gaetz said that the open carry of weapons was a right "granted not by government but by God."<ref name="Hiaasen 2015">{{cite news |last=Hiaasen |first=Carl |date=17 October 2015 |title=Carl Hiaasen: from God's lips to Gaetz's ears |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article39620145.html |work=Miami Herald |location=Miami, Florida |access-date=22 February 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Call 2015">{{cite news |last=Call |first=James |date=6 October 2015 |title=Gaetz: Open carrying of guns is a right granted by God |url=http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/10/06/gaetz-open-carrying-guns-right-granted-god/73436912/ |work=Tallahassee Democrat |location=Tallahassee, Florida |access-date=22 February 2018 }}</ref> Gaetz supports Florida's [[stand-your-ground law]] and supported legislation that strengthened it against legal challenges.<ref name="Gaetz 2017">{{cite news |last=Gaetz |first=Matt |date=17 January 2017 |title=Rep. Gaetz: Second Amendment not negotiable |url=https://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2017/01/17/rep-gaetz-second-amendment-negotiable/96686296/ |work=[[Pensacola News Journal]] |access-date=22 February 2018 }}</ref> Gaetz also supports [[Concealed carry in the United States#Reciprocity|concealed carry reciprocity]].<ref name="Gaetz 2017"/> === Russia investigation === ==== Special Counsel investigation ==== In November 2017 Gaetz introduced a congressional [[resolution (law)|resolution]] calling for [[Robert Mueller]] to recuse himself as [[Special Counsel]] because of what were said to be conflicts of interest.<ref name=remove-Mueller>{{cite news |date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=November 3, 2017 |title=Republicans just introduced a resolution to remove Mueller from the Trump-Russia investigation |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/republicans-introduce-bill-to-remove-bob-mueller-from-special-counsel-2017-11 |work=[[Business Insider]] |first1=Joe |last1=Perticone }}</ref> In the resolution Gaetz also asked for a Special Counsel investigation into the handling of the [[Hillary Clinton email controversy]] by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]], undue interference by Attorney General [[Loretta Lynch]] in the investigation, and the acquisition of [[Uranium One]] by the Russian state corporation [[Rosatom]] during Mueller's time as FBI director.<ref>{{USBill|115|hres|477|pipe=Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a special counsel should be appointed by the Attorney General or his designee to investigate misconduct by former Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James B. Comey with regard to the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for mishandling of classified data and use of an unauthorized email server.|site=yes}}</ref><ref name=Mueller-recuse>{{cite news|date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=November 3, 2017|title=Conservative Republicans demand Mueller recuse himself over uranium deal|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/conservative-republicans-demand-mueller-recuse-himself-over-uranium-deal/2017/11/03/809135bc-c07f-11e7-959c-fe2b598d8c00_story.html|work=[[The Washington Post]]|first1=Karoun|last1=Demirjian}}</ref> Gaetz stated that he did not trust Mueller to lead the investigation because of Mueller's alleged involvement in approval of the [[Uranium One controversy|Uranium One deal]] and Mueller's close relationship with the dismissed FBI director [[James Comey]], a probable person of interest in a proposed new investigation.<ref>[https://www.vox.com/world/2017/12/14/16762840/mueller-trump-hannity-gaetz-jordan-perry-fire The conservative case to fire Robert Mueller, explained], ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'', Alex Ward, December 14, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2018.</ref><ref>[http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/358614-gop-lawmaker-calls-for-mueller-recusal-over-uranium-deal GOP lawmaker calls for Mueller recusal over uranium deal], ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]''. Christina Marcos, November 3, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2018.</ref> After Ohio Congressman [[Jim Jordan (American politician)|Jim Jordan]]'s denial that he was aware of the sexual abuse of Ohio State University wrestlers during the period when Jordan was a coach there,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/7/6/17536388/jim-jordan-ohio-state-sexual-abuse-accuser|title=Jim Jordan is accused of turning a blind eye to Ohio State sexual abuse. Now he’s attacking the accusers.|work=Vox|access-date=2018-07-06}}</ref> Gaetz said that the allegations came from people in the "[[Deep state in the United States|Deep State]]" and were intended to reduce the credibility of Jordan's criticism of Mueller's investigation of [[Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections]].<ref name="Strauss">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rep-jim-jordan-returns-to-washington-as-scrutiny-over-alleged-sexual-abuse-at-ohio-state-intensifies/2018/07/08/4c772ef4-82c0-11e8-8553-a3ce89036c78_story.html Representative Jim Jordan returns to Washington as scrutiny over alleged sexual abuse at Ohio State intensifies], ''[[Washington Post]]'', Elise Viebeck and Alice Crites, July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/396650-gop-lawmaker-accusations-against-jim-jordan-come-from-deep-state|title=GOP lawmaker: Accusations against Jim Jordan come from ‘deep state’|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=July 12, 2018|access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref> Gaetz said of then-[[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] [[Jeff Sessions]] that "... over at the Department of Justice, he's got [[Stockholm Syndrome]], he's become sympathetic with his captors over there in the Deep State."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/05/22/matt-gaetz-tapper-who-is-deep-state-sot-lead.cnn|accessdate=May 23, 2018|title=Tapper presses lawmaker: Who is the deep state?|date=May 22, 2018}}</ref> === Cannabis === Gaetz supports rescheduling [[cannabis]] from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, enabling further research and expanded use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.<ref name="Kennedy472017">{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=Emma|title=Matt Gaetz proposes to reschedule marijuana|url=http://www.pnj.com/story/news/2017/04/07/matt-gaetz-proposes-rescheduling-marijuana-research-medical-opioid-crisis/100182968/|work=[[Pensacola News Journal]]|accessdate=22 December 2017}}</ref> In 2015 he sponsored a House bill to expand Florida's Right to Try Act to include medical marijuana.<ref name="Sweeney10815">{{cite web|last1=Sweeney|first1=Dan|title=Florida Legislature tackling the three Gs: God, gays and guns|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/florida-politics-blog/sfl-florida-legislature-tackling-the-three-gs-god-gays-and-guns-20151008-htmlstory.html|date=October 8, 2015|website=Sun-Sentinel.com|accessdate=22 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lawmaker wants terminally ill to have access to medical marijuana|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/os-lawmaker-wants-to-expand-access-to-medical-marijuana-20151007-post.html|date=October 7, 2015|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=January 3, 2018}}</ref> The bill as amended was approved by [[Rick Scott|the governor]] in March 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Scott Signs Medical Marijuana Bill for Terminally Ill, Enabling Experimental Drugs|url=https://flaglerlive.com/91952/terminally-ill-pot-florida/|date=March 25, 2016|work=FlaglerLive.com|location=[[Palm Coast, Florida]]|access-date=January 3, 2018}}</ref> In September 2017, Gaetz keynoted the [[American Medical Marijuana Association|American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association]]'s annual conference.<ref name="Wilson93017">{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/09/30/matt-gaetz-to-speak-at-medical-marijuana-doctors-conference-with-trump-associate-roger-stone/|title=Matt Gaetz to speak at medical marijuana doctors conference with Trump associate Roger Stone|last1=Wilson|first1=Kirby|website=Tampa Bay Times|accessdate=22 December 2017}}</ref> === Donald Trump === On February 23, 2017, Gaetz, worried about [[Protests against Donald Trump|protesters]] disrupting his speaking at his [[Town hall meeting|town hall]] in [[Pace, Florida]], prepared what his staffers called "the '[[Nonverbal communication|non-verbal]] [[Town hall meeting|town hall]],' reminiscent of a scene from the movie ''[[Love Actually]]''. Gaetz printed out part of his speech onto giant boards that he would hold up if he was unable to get a word in."<ref name="plan">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/politics/matt-gaetz-town-hall-disrupters/index.html|title=One Republican congressman's plan to deal with town hall disrupters|last1=Moghe|first1=Sonia|date=February 23, 2017|accessdate=February 23, 2017|work=[[CNN]]}}</ref> One of the signs prepared for Gaetz had the words "Professional Liberal Protestors".<ref name="plan" /> Gaetz arrived 30 minutes late to the town hall meeting, where he faced at least 500 constituents crowded into the Oops Bowling Alley. At the meeting he was grilled about his relationship with [[Donald Trump|Trump]], his stance on repealing the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|Affordable Care Act]], and his proposal to abolish the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]]. He surprised the audience and got a round of applause when he said, "Absolutely, [[Donald Trump]] should release his [[Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016#Refusal to release tax returns|tax returns]]." But he stopped short of saying [[United States Congress|Congress]] should [[subpoena]] those returns. Gaetz closed his town hall by shouting "[[Make America Great Again]]" over roaring opposition from the crowd.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/a-conservative-republican-calls-on-trump-to-release-his-tax-returns-at-a-town-hall-thursday/2017/02/24/fd243790-fa4c-11e6-9845-576c69081518_story.html|title=At town hall, conservative lawmaker calls on Trump to release tax returns|last1=Strickland|first1=T.S.|date=February 24, 2017|accessdate=February 24, 2017|work=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/politics/matt-gaetz-donald-trump-tax-returns/|title=Under fire, GOP congressman calls for Trump tax returns|last1=LoBianco|first1=Tom|date=February 23, 2017|accessdate=February 24, 2017|work=[[CNN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://weartv.com/news/local/gaetz-met-with-protesters-during-santa-rosa-county-townhall-tour|title=Gaetz meets with protesters during Santa Rosa County town hall tour|last1=Norton|first1=Allie|date=February 23, 2017|accessdate=February 24, 2017|work=[[WEAR-TV]]}}</ref> In April 2018, ''[[Politico]]'' described Gaetz as "one of the most enthusiastic defenders of [[Donald Trump|President Trump]] on cable news" and a "proud Trump protege".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/04/03/matt-gaetz-trump-sessions-mueller-recuse-217764|title=Trump's Best Buddy in Congress Wants Sessions to Fire Mueller|work=Politico|access-date=2018-04-03}}</ref> === Economy === ==== Tax reform ==== Gaetz voted in support of the [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017]].<ref name="Almukhtar">{{cite web|last1=Almukhtar|first1=Sarah|title=How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|accessdate=22 December 2017|date=19 December 2017}}</ref> He acknowledged that [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017#Pass-through business taxation|the bill's pass-through tax deduction]] would benefit President Trump, and added, "but so many Americans benefit when commercial real estate becomes easier and more accessible."<ref name="Sarlin121917">{{cite web|last1=Sarlin|first1=Benjy|title=Republican-led Congress passes sweeping tax bill|url=http://wavy.com/2017/12/19/house-passes-sweeping-gop-tax-bill-senate-to-follow/|website=WAVY-TV|accessdate=22 December 2017|date=19 December 2017}}</ref> === Environment === In 2016, Gaetz acknowledged [[global warming]] but said he disagrees with the [[scientific opinion on climate change|scientific consensus on climate change]] that human activity is the primary cause. Gaetz said "In our fervor to protect the environment, we lose sight of economic and scientific reality."<ref>{{cite news |title=Local political figures cautious about sea level rise |first=Collin |last=Breaux |date=April 16, 2016 |url=http://www.newsherald.com/news/20160416/local-political-figures-cautious-about-sea-level-rise |accessdate=November 3, 2017 |newspaper=[[The News Herald (Panama City)|The News Herald]] |location=[[Panama City, Florida]]}}</ref> In April 2017, the [[Center for American Progress]] and [[Vice Media]] said Gaetz was a [[climate change denial|climate change denier]], citing his 2016 statements.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thinkprogress.org/115th-congress-climate-denier-caucus-65fb825b3963/|title=The Climate Denier Caucus in Trump's Washington|last1=Moser|first1=Claire|last2=Koronowski|first2=Ryan|date=April 28, 2017|work=[[ThinkProgress]]|publisher=[[Center for American Progress]]|accessdate=November 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/gv53kq/climate-deniers-congress-florida|title=Florida's Climate Change Deniers|date=April 25, 2017|accessdate=November 3, 2017|agency=[[Vice Media]]|at=Motherboard}}</ref> In November 2017 Gaetz joined the bipartisan [[Climate Solutions Caucus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://citizensclimatelobby.org/climate-solutions-caucus/|title=90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members|author=|date=|publisher=Citizen´s Climate Lobby|accessdate=20 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://citizensclimatelobby.org/matt-gaetz-climate-solutions-caucus-bipartisan/|title=Matt Gaetz, the Climate Solutions Caucus and the bumpy road to bipartisan consensus|last=Valk|first=Steve|date=December 5, 2017|website=[[Citizens' Climate Lobby]]|access-date=April 26, 2018}}</ref> He said, "I don't think there's a scientific debate left to be had on if it is happening. I also think history is going to judge very harshly climate change deniers, and I don't want to be one of them." He said that he advocates technological innovation and economic incentives that address climate change, and increased federal funds for global warming research by [[NASA]], [[NOAA]] and universities, but that he remains opposed to increased environmental regulation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pnj.com/story/money/business/2017/11/24/after-pushing-bill-abolish-epa-rep-matt-gaetz-joins-climate-solutions-caucus/893141001/|title=After pushing bill to abolish EPA, Rep. Matt Gaetz joins Climate Solutions Caucus|last=Baucum|first=Joseph|date=November 25, 2017|work=[[Pensacola News Journal]]|access-date=December 14, 2017}}</ref> In 2017, Gaetz proposed legislation to "completely abolish" the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)]]. He said, "our small businesses cannot afford to cover the costs associated with compliance, too often leading to closed doors and unemployed Americans. It is time to take back our legislative power from the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] and abolish it permanently."<ref name=huffpost20170131>{{cite news|last1=Kaufman|first1=Alexander C.|title=Florida Congressman Drafts Bill To 'Completely Abolish' The EPA|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bill-to-abolish-epa_us_5890e638e4b02772c4e9c552|accessdate=February 1, 2017|work=HuffPost|date=January 31, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=H.R.861 - To terminate the Environmental Protection Agency|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/861|accessdate=February 23, 2017|date=February 3, 2017}}</ref> === Health care === In October 2017, Gaetz said that the Medicaid expansion fueled the [[Opioid epidemic|opioid crisis]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2017/oct/23/matt-gaetz/no-evidence-prove-medicaid-expansion-fueling-opioi/|title=No evidence to prove Medicaid expansion fueled opioid crisis|work=@politifact|access-date=2017-11-04}}</ref> PolitiFact rated the claim as "mostly false", noting that "experts were universal in saying that the evidence that Medicaid expansion is somehow fueling the opioid crisis doesn't exist."<ref name=":0" /> === Immigration === Gaetz opposes [[Sanctuary city|sanctuary cities]], which opt not to dedicate local law enforcement resources to prosecuting people solely for being undocumented.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2017/aug/30/matt-gaetz/gaetz-misleads-claim-about-immigrants-crime/|title=No comprehensive data available to back Gaetz's claim|work=@politifact|access-date=2017-11-04}}</ref> Upon announcing his run for Congress in 2016, Gaetz declared that illegal immigrants are "sucking us dry."<ref name="Kam32116">{{cite web|last1=Kam|first1=Dara|title=Matt Gaetz runs for U.S. Congress, blasts 'illegal immigrants' and 'Muslim terrorists'|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/03/21/matt-gaetz-runs-for-us-congress-blasts-illegal-immigrants-and-muslim-terrorists-in-candidacy-announcement|website=Orlando Weekly|accessdate=22 December 2017}}</ref> In January 2018 Gaetz defended an alleged [[Haiti–United States relations#Donald Trump's "shithole countries" comment|controversial comment]] on Haiti by Trump, saying that Haiti was in a "disgusting" condition.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mazza|first1=Ed|title=GOP Lawmaker Matt Gaetz Slams Haiti: 'Sheet Metal And Garbage' Everywhere You Look|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/matt-gaetz-haiti-sheet-metal-and-garbage_us_5a5eb8bce4b00a7f171b93f8|work=HuffPost|accessdate=17 January 2018|date=16 January 2018}}</ref> In October 2018, Gaetz falsely claimed that [[George Soros]] paid for a caravan of migrants from Central America to the United States.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/20/world/americas/migrant-caravan-video-trump.html|title=Did Democrats, or George Soros, Fund Migrant Caravan? Despite Republican Claims, No|last=Qiu|first=Linda|date=October 20, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 21, 2018}}</ref> === Gay Rights === As a Florida State Representative in 2015 Matt Gaetz co-authored an amendment with Democratic Rep. Richardson to repeal the state's 38-year old ban on gay adoption.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amendment 936767 |url=https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=720277.docx&DocumentType=Amendments&BillNumber=7013&Session=2015 |website=MyFloridahouse.gov |publisher=Fl House}}</ref> The amendment was adopted and the larger adoption incentive bill (HB7013) passed the [[Florida House of Representatives]] on a 68-50 vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=House vote |url=https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2015/7013/Vote/HouseVote_h7013e1013.PDF |website=Fl Senate}}</ref> The bill then went to the [[Florida State Senate]], where there was pressure by some conservative lawmakers who wanted the amendment taken out. There, his father State Senator [[Don Gaetz]] led the bill to passage. The elder Gaetz later revealed that it was Matt who "sat him down" and gave him perspective on the bill as a younger person, urging that Republicans shouldn't block it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Menzel |first1=Margie |title=Gaetz Speech |url=https://www.sayfiereview.com/page/Matt%20Gaetz%20cancels%20fatherson%20talk%20after%20getting%20whooping%20cough |website=SayFieReview |publisher=The News Service Of Florida |accessdate=5 August 2015}}</ref> The bill was signed by Governor [[Rick Scott]] later that year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Mitch |title=Rick Scott signs bill that repeals gay-adoption ban in Florida |url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/184793-rick-scott-signs-bill-that-repeals-gay-adoption-ban-in-florida |website=Florida Politics |accessdate=11 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Florida Poised To Repeal 38-Year-Old Ban On Gay Adoption |url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/04/08/florida-poised-to-repeal-38-year-old-ban-on-gay-adoption/ |website=CBSMiami |accessdate=8 April 2015}}</ref> == Issues and controversies == In its July–August 2017 issue, ''[[Foreign Policy (magazine)|Foreign Policy]]'' reported that Devin Murphy, a Gaetz [[legislative aide]], had written a resolution that Gaetz brought to the [[House Judiciary Committee]] using primarily content from [[/r/The Donald]], "a pro-Trump [[subreddit]] notorious for both its embrace of [[conspiracy theories]] and its gleeful offensiveness." One of the allegations was that [[James Comey]] had leaked investigative matters to New York Times reporter [[Michael S. Schmidt]], beginning when Schmidt would have been around 10 years old.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/08/01/the-house-judiciary-committee-is-busy-with-the-gops-rthe_donald-amendment/|title=The House Judiciary Committee Is Hard at Work Investigating Reddit Conspiracies|author=Jurecic, Quinta|date=August 1, 2017|work=[[Foreign Policy]]|access-date=August 2, 2017}}</ref> In an email to ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' magazine, Gaetz said, "It is the responsibility of our staff to gather as much information as possible when researching a subject and provide that information for consideration. We pride ourselves on seeking as much citizen input as possible."<ref name=wired/> The /r/The_Donald posters' suggestions are represented in "roughly two-thirds of the total finished amendment."<ref name=wired>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/story/republican-staffer-the-donald-resolution/|title=A GOP Staffer Crowdsourced an Anti-Clinton Resolution from Reddit|author=Feinberg, Ashley|work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=July 18, 2017|access-date=August 2, 2017}}</ref> In January 2018, Gaetz invited [[alt-right]] Holocaust denier<ref name="guardian">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/01/state-of-the-union-matt-gaetz-charles-johnson|title=GOP lawmaker condemned for inviting Holocaust denier to State of the Union|date=February 1, 2018|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> [[Charles C. Johnson|Charles C. "Chuck" Johnson]] to attend [[President Donald Trump]]'s [[State of the Union]] address. Gaetz said that he had no "pre-existing" relationship with Johnson and only invited him to attend when Johnson showed up at his office, providing him the ticket which Gaetz's father could not use due to his bronchitis. According to Johnson, he was invited by several members of Congress but “took Gaetz’s invitation” because “he’s into stuff on the issues that I care about.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/florida-congressman-invited-infamous-troll-chuck-johnson-to-trumps-state-of-the-union| title=Florida (Congress)Man Invited Infamous Troll Chuck Johnson to Trump’s State of The Union|last=Markay|first=Lachlan|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=January 31, 2018|access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref> Johnson had previously raised money for the neo-Nazi website ''[[The Daily Stormer]]''.<ref name="thehill">{{Cite news|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/371644-gop-rep-invited-alt-right-troll-to-the-state-of-the-union|title=GOP rep invited alt-right activist to the State of the Union|last=Delk|first=Josh|work=[[The Hill (website)|The Hill]]|date=January 31, 2018|access-date=January 31, 2018}}</ref> Gaetz said in an interview that Johnson was “not a Holocaust denier, he’s not a white supremacist”.<ref name=guardian/> On February 26, 2019, Gaetz tweeted, "Hey @MichaelCohen212 - Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she’ll remain faithful when you’re in prison. She’s about to learn a lot..." This constitutes as witness tampering per 18 U.S.C. §§ 1512(b), 1515(a)(1)(B). === Drunk driving arrest and speeding tickets === In 2008, Gaetz was arrested for a [[DUI]] as he was driving back from the Swamp, a nightclub on [[Okaloosa Island, Florida]]. While he was arrested and refused to take a [[breathalyzer]] test, "he didn't have his license suspended for a year when he refused the breath test—as Florida law dictates. And he didn't have that refusal used against him in a criminal proceeding." Charges against him were dismissed despite the fact that the police reported that "Gaetz fumbled for his license and registration, his eyes were watery and bloodshot, and he swayed and staggered when he got out of the car." Gaetz has cited the dropped charges as proof that he was innocent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/lawmakers-talk-of-mug-shot-raises-questions-about-dui-arrest/2166023|title=Lawmaker's talk of mug shot raises questions about DUI arrest|work=Michael Van Sickler, [[Tampa Bay Times]]|accessdate=September 27, 2016}}</ref> Between 1999 and 2014, Gaetz received 16 speeding tickets in Florida.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.tcpalm.com/news/investigations/some-legislators-rack-up-multiple-speeding-tickets-scripps-investigation-finds--database-video-ep-45-341863231.html|title=Some legislators rack up multiple speeding tickets, Scripps investigation finds|last1=Krauth|first1=Dan|date=July 25, 2014|work=[[TC Palm]]|access-date=December 16, 2017|last2=Heimeriks|first2=Niels}}</ref> ==Personal life== Gaetz is the son of [[Florida]] [[politician]] [[Don Gaetz]], who represented parts of [[Florida Panhandle|Northwest Florida]] as a member of the [[Florida State Senate]] from 2006 to 2016 and served as [[President of the Florida Senate|Senate President]] from 2012 to 2014. Gaetz's grandfather, Jerry Gaetz, was the mayor of [[Rugby, North Dakota]] and a candidate for [[Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota]] at the 1964 [[North Dakota Republican Party]] state convention, where he died of a heart attack.<ref name="rising fast">{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/gop-lawmaker-don-gaetz-is-rising-fast-as-a-state-senate-leader/436807|title=GOP lawmaker Don Gaetz is rising fast as a state Senate leader|last=Colavecchio-Van Sickler|first=Shannon|date=March 30, 2008|work=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|accessdate=May 20, 2015}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [https://gaetz.house.gov/ Congressman Matt Gaetz] official U.S. House site * [http://www.mattgaetz.com/ Campaign website] * {{Dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Florida/Government/Federal/US_House/Matt_Gaetz_%5BR-1%5D}} * {{ CongLinks | congbio = G000578 | fec = H6FL01119| votesmart = 117101 | congress = matt-gaetz/G000578 }} * {{C-SPAN|mattgaetz}} {{s-start}} {{s-par|us-hs}} {{s-bef|before=[[Jeff Miller (Florida politician)|Jeff Miller]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States Representatives from Florida|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Florida's 1st congressional district]]|years=2017–present}} {{s-inc}} |- {{s-prec|usa}} {{s-bef|before=[[Brian Fitzpatrick (American politician)|Brian Fitzpatrick]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Seniority in the United States House of Representatives|United States Representatives by seniority]]|years=309th}} {{s-aft|after=[[Mike Gallagher (American politician)|Mike Gallagher]]}} {{s-end}} {{U.S. Florida Representatives}} {{FL-FedRep}} {{Current members of the U.S. House of Representatives}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Gaetz, Matt}} [[Category:1982 births]] [[Category:21st-century American politicians]] [[Category:Florida Republicans]] [[Category:Florida State University alumni]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Members of the Florida House of Representatives]] [[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida]] [[Category:People from Hollywood, Florida]] [[Category:People from Fort Walton Beach, Florida]] [[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives]] [[Category:William & Mary Law School alumni]] [[Category:Florida lawyers]]'