Welcome back to the Pfluger Fly-By, a roundup of events and updates to keep you informed about everything I'm doing week by week to represent you in Congress.
It was an exciting week back in Texas-11!I had the opportunity to work alongside employees, serve constituents, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations at a McDonald's in Midland. I also announced the re-launch of my Congressional Youth Advisory Council for high school juniors and seniors across the district. Additionally, even though Congress wasn't in session this week, I introduced and co-led several pieces of legislation to continue delivering on my promise to fight for you in D.C.
REMINDER: FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for federal assistance for residents of Texas-11 affected by the July 4th flooding. The new deadline for the ten impacted counties is September 28th. If you're a homeowner, renter, or student and haven't applied yet, I strongly encourage you to do so.
Below, you'll find photos and highlights from the week, plus information on how my office can assist you with any federal concerns. As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if we can ever be of assistance.
Best,
Working at McDonald's in Midland
This morning, I traded my role as a Congressman to work alongside employees at a McDonald's in Midland during the breakfast rush! In Texas alone, McDonald's employs over 65,000 individuals across 1,220 restaurant locations, and it was a privilege to see their work firsthand.
I will continue to support franchises in my district and across America. I am a proud co-sponsor of the American Franchise Act, which protects the independence of franchise owners and guards against overly broad interpretations of joint employer liability.
Nothing beats being back in Texas-11, working alongside and serving the hardworking men and women I am honored to represent in Congress.
Remembering Charlie Kirk for Generations to Come
This week, I also joined Congressman Abe Hamadeh in introducing legislation to place Charlie Kirk on 400,000 silver dollar coins in 2026, featuring the phrase, "well done, good and faithful servant." This coin will make Charlie the youngest American ever immortalized on legal U.S. currency, which is a fitting honor that will cement his impactful legacy alongside presidents and founding fathers.
Read more about the legislation in Fox News here or by clicking on the image below.
CMS Launches $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation Program
This month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) unveiled details on how states can apply for funding through the new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, created under the Working Families Tax Cut bill signed into law earlier this year. This historic investment will empower states to strengthen existing healthcare infrastructure and build sustainable systems to serve rural Americans for generations to come.
I was proud to support this landmark legislation, which takes critical steps toward revitalizing rural healthcare. Rural communities are the backbone of our nation, yet they have been left behind for far too long. I am always grateful to stand alongside the dedicated healthcare providers in Texas-11 who deliver essential care to our families and neighbors.
Read more about the Rural Health Transformation Program here or by clicking on the image below.
Condemning Attacks on ICE Officers
This week, a shooter opened fire on an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, killing one detainee and injuring two other individuals. As details continue to emerge from the FBI and local law enforcement, one thing is certain: there has been a wave of unprecedented violent threats against ICE officers this year, and any attacks on these officers cannot be tolerated.
I co-led a resolution alongside Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) to condemn the recent violence against ICE officers in the wake of the shooting in Dallas this week. These brave law enforcement officers are cleaning up our streets to protect Americans from dangerous criminals. Attacks against any law enforcement officers threaten public safety.
Read more about the resolution in Fox News here or by clicking on the image below.
LAUNCHing into Action
As adversaries like China seek to weaponize and exploit the space domain and the emerging technologies that come from it, we must implement long-overdue regulatory reforms that keep the United States at the forefront. This is why I introduced the LAUNCH Act this week alongside Congressman George Whitesides (CA-27) to streamline commercial space launches, strengthen U.S. competitiveness in space, and counter foreign adversaries as their space ambitions intensify.
President Reagan once described space as a 'new frontier', noting that our willingness to explore it 'will reflect whether America's men and women today have the same bold vision, courage, and indomitable spirit that made us a great nation.’ He was right. Space exploration and dominance are vital to America's long-term strength and security. My bill delivers on that mission by modernizing current regulations to support innovation at critical spaceports nationwide, including Midland Spaceport, which I am extremely proud to represent.
Read more about my legislation in Newsweek here or by clicking on the image below.
Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for Texans
Our healthcare system is unfortunately marked by skyrocketing costs, especially when it comes to prescription drugs. For far too long, unnecessary barriers and outdated FDA requirements have prevented Americans from accessing a less expensive, generic version of their medication.
That's why I introduced the bipartisan Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act alongside Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01) to improve patient access to prescription medications and increase competition in the biological drug market by automatically deeming "biosimilar" drugs as interchangeable with their name-brand counterparts upon FDA approval.
Read more about the legislation here or by clicking on the image below.
Probing Online Platforms to Identify Potential Terrorist Activity
This week, I led letters alongside House Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino to Discord, Twitch, Reddit, and GitHub, requesting information on each platform's policies and procedures for detecting and reporting extremist content and suspicious activity in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination.
Online radicalization poses a serious risk to our national security and public safety. The tragic political assassination of Charlie Kirk underscores the urgency of this growing danger. Whether fueled by foreign extremist propaganda or domestic political polarization, radicals are increasingly exploiting online platforms to operate in the shadows. Digital platforms should be a space for free expression, not a tool for enabling violence.
Read more about the letters in Semafor here or by clicking on the image below.
Pressing for Transparency on Broadband Deployment
During an Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Communications and Technology hearing last week, I questioned witnesses on the importance of my legislation, the Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act, and the challenges of deploying broadband internet due to cumbersome and expensive permitting regulations. For far too long, countless Americans have lacked access to high-speed internet, especially in rural or remote areas. I remain committed to closing the digital divide and bringing quality broadband internet to underserved areas.
Watch my full line of questioning here or by clicking the image below.
2025 Congressional Youth Advisory Council Applications
I am excited to announce the re-launch of my Congressional Youth Advisory Council (CYAC) for high school juniors and seniors in the 11th Congressional District of Texas. This esteemed program offers a unique opportunity for passionate and driven young leaders to engage with government, collaborate with peers, and serve their communities.
CYAC is designed to empower the next generation of leaders by providing a platform to voice their perspectives on critical issues. Participants will have the chance to interact directly with me, special guests, and senior staff members in up to four interactive virtual meetings. Additionally, CYAC participants will be provided special admittance to the Pfluger Youth Leadership Conference in Spring 2026 (Date TBD).
Key Program Details:
·Up to four interactive virtual meetings with me and special guests.
·Participation in the Pfluger Youth Leadership Conference in Spring 2026 (Date TBD).
·No cost to participants; all materials provided.
·Possibility of academic or community service credit.
For questions about the program or application, please contact Corbette Padilla in the Midland Office at (432)-687-2390.
Watch my message encouraging students in Texas-11 to apply for my Congressional Youth Advisory Council (CYAC) here or by clicking on the image below.
2025 Congressional App Challenge
My office is accepting submissions for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. This competition is an excellent opportunity for students in middle and high school to further develop their skills in computer science and STEM.
Students have until October 30, 2025, to submit their app. Information on the Congressional App Challenge, including how to apply, can be found on my website by clicking here.
· The app will be unveiled in a Congressional Reception in Washington, D.C., in late December (date TBD).
· Additional prizes may be announced.
RLES
· Students will create an application (aka app) for PC, web, tablet, robot, mobile, etc. Any programming such as C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, or "block code" will be accepted.
· There are NO LIMITS on the application theme or topic.
· The competition is open to students in 6th-12th grades.
· Students may work individually or in teams made up of no more than four.
Students are highly encouraged to review the competition's complete rules and regulations on the Congressional App Challenge's website. For more information, please visit CongressionalAppChallenge.usor contact Kathy Keane in my office at kathy.keane@mail.house.gov.
Deadline Extended: Apply for FEMA Assistance by September 28th
Since the devastating floods swept through Central and West Texas on July 4th,my office and I have been working closely with local leaders and officials to ensure that residents in Texas's 11th Congressional District have access to the resources and assistance they need.
FEMA has extended the deadline for residents impacted by the floods to apply for FEMA assistance. I strongly encourage homeowners, renters, and students who have not yet applied to do so before the new deadline on Sunday, September 28th.
Additionally, FEMA released information on legal services and disaster case managers available to flood survivors, as unexpected legal issues may arise after a disaster that can leave individuals and families devastated. If you are facing legal issues resulting from the July storms and flooding, you can get free legal advice. Click HERE for more information.
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.
