Welcome back to the weekly Pfluger Fly-By, a collection of events and happenings to keep you updated on everything I am doing week by week to represent you in Congress.
This week, I was honored to have my good friend and fellow wingman, Colonel Shurtleff, testify on behalf of my legislation, the ACES Act, I joined Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss a wide variety of topics, I chaired a Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence legislative markup that included two of my bills, I questioned the President and CEO of ERCOT on grid reliability in Texas, and much more!
I have included some photos and highlights from the week. You can also find information on how my office can help you with any federal problems you may be having. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can ever be of assistance.
Best,
Colonel Shurtleff Testifies Before Congress on the ACES Act
When brave men and women volunteer for our nation, they shouldn't face a second battle against cancer without proper government support. The ACES Act directs the VA to partner with the National Academies of Sciences to study cancer prevalence among military aviators and identify service-connected factors, ultimately saving lives through earlier detection, developing targeted screening protocols, and ensuring our veterans receive the specialized care they've earned.
As an Air Force fighter pilot with over 20 years of service, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible dedication, bravery, and resilience of our nation’s aviators. But I’ve also seen many of my brothers and sisters fight their toughest battles not in the air but in hospital rooms against cancer. I thank Colonel Shurtleff for his brave testimony before Congress on this crucial issue on behalf of military aviators. Please join me in praying for Colonel Shurtleff and his family as he continues his treatment.
Watch my full line of questioning with Colonel Shurtleff here or by clicking the image below.
Goodfellow Vietnam War Commemoration Ceremony
Today, I was delighted to be back in TX-11 where I had the honor of attending the United States of America 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration Welcome Home and Pinning Ceremony at Goodfellow Air Force Base. This ceremony has taken place for over 10 years in San Angelo and is an incredible way to recognize and honor Vietnam War veterans with an official commemorative lapel pin.
This year’s ceremony coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. Honoring our nation's heroes is of the utmost importance to me. I’d like to thank the Goodfellow AFB Heritage Committee, the Heritage Chapter – Freedom Through Vigilance Association, the EC-47 History Site, and all of the Command Staff at Goodfellow AFB for putting together such a meaningful event. I was extremely honored to participate in this today and share a few remarks.
Counterterrorism Subcommittee Markup
As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, I led the subcommittee's first legislative markup of the 119th Congress. The markup included ten critical pieces of legislation to counter terror threats and transnational repression in the United States, two of which were my bills, the Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act and the Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025.
Transnational repression, the act of foreign governments or their proxies targeting individuals in another country using various coercive tactics, has become an increasingly concerning issue in the United States. Midlander Bob Fu is a victim of transnational repression. He has testified in the Homeland Security Committee about his experiences being targeted by the Chinese Communist Party.
The Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025 would require the Department of Homeland Security to create a dedicated transnational repression office to ensure that the federal government takes steps to counter threats from foreign authoritarian regimes.
Watch my remarks in support of my legislation here or by clicking the image below.
Mornings with Maria on Fox Business
I joined Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss the Republican Study Committee's efforts to codify President Trump's executive orders into law, President Trump signing my legislation to repeal the natural gas tax into law, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth's announcement of the contract to build the next generation F-47 that will be the most lethal aircraft the U.S. Air Force has ever seen, and much more.
You can watch the full interview here or by clicking the image below.
Keeping the Lights On in Texas
As a member of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, I joined my colleagues in questioning witnesses on energy grid reliability. Pablo Vegas, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT), was among the witnesses called to testify.
I believe in the 'best of the above', not 'all of the above' approach to energy production. This is why, during the hearing, I questioned Mr. Vegas on the pressing need to invest in long-duration, dispatchable resources to support grid reliability in Texas. As the demand for electricity continues to rise, we must invest in secure and reliable resources to power the future.
You can watch my full line of questioning here or at the link below.
Meeting with Texas-11 in Washington
This week, I met with several community leaders and partners in Washington, which is always a pleasure. Thank you all for taking the time to discuss how we can implement smart, commonsense policies to strengthen Texas-11!
2025 Congressional Art Competition
My office is accepting submissions for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. This competition gives high school students from across Texas-11 the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building.
This year's theme is 'Texas to Me' and students will have until April 21st to submit their artwork. Information on the Congressional Art Competition, including how to apply, can be found on the Congressman's website by clicking here.
RULES
· Artwork must be two-dimensional and original in concept, design, and execution. Art must follow the theme of 'Texas to Me.'
· The artwork's dimensions 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 our congressional website or contact Carol Cunningham in the Llano District Office at Carol.Cunningham@mail.house.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: If you are in need of assistance with a federal agency, my office is here to help. For more information, please visit our website HERE.
Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter)for daily updates.
