January 19, 2024

My Thoughts on Government Funding

Yesterday I voted against the government funding bill that failed to meet my metrics for a successful spending deal. Our work continues on border security and lowering topline spending. Texans have had enough.

Transnational Repression Has Grown Significantly

As Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee on Counterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, I led a hearing to examine transnational repression and its growing influence. Transnational repression is when authoritarian regimes like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or Iran go beyond their borders to harass or silence citizens and others who defend human rights and advocate for free speech. The United States must uphold the bastion for every person to freely express their views without fear of persecution from foreign actors. Watch here or below for my opening remarks.

Dr. Bob Fu of Midland Testifies in Washington

I was pleased to invite Dr. Bob Fu of Midland to testify before the subcommittee about his experience being targeted by the Chinese Community Party (CCP). He is the Founder and President of the China Aid Association, an international human rights organization with a mission to help persecuted in the People's Republic of China.

Dr. Fu’s great testimony detailed how the CCP's repression of religious freedom, human rights, and the rule of law in China has reached catastrophic levels. I was honored to hear his story and be able to bring this issue to the attention of my colleagues. The work of Dr. Fu and China Aid is bringing to light the horrors of the CCP and its reach on American soil. May we all admire the courage of Dr. Fu for testifying and representing Texas-11 in Washington.

The Best of the Above

This past week, we experienced winter weather in Texas-11 and across our state. The Texas Oil and Gas Association released a full report on what specific sources of energy were used to ensure we all could keep the heat and lights on. As you can see, natural gas carried the majority of the load when wind and solar could not. If you stayed warm this week, thank fossil fuels. Texans and Americans deserve the best of the above.

(Graphic Courtesy of the Texas Oil and Gas Association)

Second Mayorkas Impeachment Hearing

The House Committee on Homeland Security held its second impeachment hearing of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. We heard from the victims of the border crisis, including a mother who lost her daughter to fentanyl poisoning, and another whose daughter was allegedly raped and murdered by an MS-13 gang member who was released by the Biden Administration after crossing the U.S. southern border illegally. American citizens are suffering due to President Biden's self-made border catastrophe, and we will continue to uncover the facts of Secretary Mayorkas' dereliction of duty. Watch here or below for my line of questioning.

Eliminating the Death Tax

Only the federal government would look at death as an opportunity to tax hardworking business, land, and home owners. Last Congress, I proudly put an end to President Biden's new, second death tax that would have devastated rural America.

Now, it's time to kill the death tax once and for all. This week I proudly introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act with Rep. Randy Feenstra. This legislation will permanently repeal the death tax and help American families, farmers, and small businesses keep more of their hard-earned money.

Click here to read more.

Protecting Life

I am extremely proud to have earned an A+ on the Susan B. Anthony List pro-life scorecard for the third year in a row for my work in Congress defending the unborn and protecting the safety and well-being of mothers.

As a father of three, I know that every life is precious. I will continue supporting legislation critical to safeguarding the health of women and the lives of their babies. We must continue to defend the lives of children in the womb and stand against the radical pro-abortion agenda of the Biden-Harris administration.

Click here to see my scorecard with various pieces of pro-life legislation I have authored or co-sponsored.

2024 Congressional Art Competition

My office is now accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. The competition is open to all 7-12 grade students in the 11th Congressional District of Texas and is an opportunity for local artists to be recognized for their talents among artists from around the Nation.

The deadline is April 29^th, 2024. Students can register and upload images of their artwork on Congressman Pfluger’s website at:tinyurl.com/TX11Art.

PRIZES

·The winning student’s artwork will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year.

·The art will be unveiled in a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC in late June (date TBD). Winners and one guest are invited to the unveiling.

·Additional prizes may be announced.

RULES

Artwork must be two-dimensional and original in concept, design, and execution. Art must follow the theme of American Patriotism.

Dimensions of the artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:

·Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.

·Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)

·Collages: must be two dimensional

·Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints

·Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.

·Computer-generated art

·Photographs

Students are highly encouraged to review the competition’s complete rules and regulations on Congressman Pfluger’s website. For more information, please visittinyurl.com/TX11Art, or contact Cayssia David in the Killeen Office atCayssia.David@mail.house.gov.

2024 Pfluger Student Leadership Conference

I am excited to announce the second annual Pfluger Student Leadership Conference. The event is open to all high school students in the 11th District of Texas and will be held on Saturday, February 24th, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Bush Convention Center in Midland, Texas.

The conference will offer students the opportunity to participate in character-building activities and hear powerful messages from dynamic guest speakers while gaining critical knowledge on the fundamentals of leadership.

Space is limited. Students are encouraged to register as soon as possible at:www.tinyurl.com/PflugerStudents.

WHAT: Pfluger Student Leadership Conference

WHO: U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, additional guest speakers to be announced

WHEN: Saturday, February 24th, 2024 from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm CT

WHERE:  Bush Convention Center, 105 N Main St, Midland, TX 79701

Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily updates.

Rep. AugustPfluger

Member of Congress