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 is incredibly disappointing that we are on day thirty-one of the Democrats' reckless government shutdown, and that Senate Democrats have officially voted thirteen times to keep the government closed. This week, I was back in Washington, advocating against this reckless shutdown, which hit a month today. As a result of the Democrats' refusal to reopen the government, federal employees did not receive paychecks today, and tomorrow, SNAP benefits run out for the millions of vulnerable Americans who rely on them. I am infuriated by this. Please see below for a list of resources available to individuals impacted by this shutdown.
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, if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Best,
SNAP Resources for Texas-11
3.5 million vulnerable Texans will, unfortunately, stop receiving SNAP benefits tomorrow because Democrats refuse to reopen the government. It pains me that many people who rely on these benefits will not receive the critical support they need. I voted to fund the government, including SNAP, to avoid this very situation. I am infuriated that Democrats continue to put their political agenda before the well-being of Americans in need. I urge Senate Democrats to do the right thing and stop holding the government hostage. In the meantime, please reach out to my office if you are negatively affected by this shutdown and need assistance.
The Modern-Day Democrat Party is Not the Party of JFK
As we officially reach one month of the Democrats' government shutdown, I was back in Washington, D.C. this week to join Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, GOP Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, and several of my Republican Study Committee colleagues for the daily House Leadership press conference on Capitol Hill.
During the press conference, I called out Democrats for using struggling American families as political leverage and pointed out how today's Democrat Party has drifted far from the ideals and policies of John F. Kennedy, who once famously said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Today's Democrats have turned that on its head, saying: "Ask not what you can do for your country, but WHO you can leverage for your radical agenda."
I also stood up for our service members and military families, many of whom are being directly impacted by the shutdown. With Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo and Fort Hood in Killeen, I am fighting to ensure our troops, their families, and federal workers are supported during this time.
House Republicans did our job weeks ago by voting to fund the government with a simple, clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution. It's time for Democrats to do the right thing and end this senseless shutdown. Watch my full remarks from the press conference here or by clicking the image below.
Jack Smith's Partisan 'Arctic Frost' Investigation
Jack Smith's 'Arctic Frost' investigation into President Trump, Republican lawmakers, and conservative groups has turned out to be exactly what we expected: an unconstitutional political witch hunt. The weaponization of our nation's top law enforcement agency to target political opponents is unacceptable, especially in the United States.
This is exactly why I joined my colleague Congressman Brecheen (OK-02) in calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch a criminal investigation into Jack Smith and every single Biden-era DOJ bureaucrat who attempted to subvert the rule of law and violate the constitutional rights of the American people. I also share the serious concerns of many of my colleagues regarding Judge James Boasberg and fully support an investigation into his involvement. These individuals must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law - and we will ensure this kind of blatant corruption never happens again.
Read more about our efforts to hold the Biden-era DOJ accountable in the Blaze here or by clicking on the image below.
RSC Podcast with Special Guests Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Scalise
I had a fantastic time hosting the Republican Study Committee's Podcast 'Right to the Point' featuring special guests House Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (LA-01). In the episode, we pointed out the reality of who the modern-day Democrats are, as they openly admit to leveraging struggling Americans to appease the radical left flank of their party.
We also made predictions on who will win the College Football National Championship, guessing if it will be the Texas A&M Aggies or the LSU Tigers. Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Rumble here.
Trump Administration Biosimilar Announcement
The Trump Administration announced major plans this week to accelerate and lower the cost of biosimilar development. This is a major victory in the fight to lower prescription drug prices and expand access for all Americans. As Secretary Kennedy noted, 'Parents are facing heartbreaking choices between paying for medication or putting food on their tables. This is not acceptable in the United States of America.' I am proud to stand with the administration on this effort.
Last month, I introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation that directly aligns with this announcement by automatically deeming all biosimilars as interchangeable upon FDA approval and eliminating the unnecessary switching studies that delay patient access. The administration has called on Congress to act, and I'm ready to deliver. We stand ready to get this done and ensure more Americans can access life-saving medications without facing financial burdens.
Read more about the announcement here, and read more about my Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act here.
Odessa Chamber of Commerce in Washington
This week, I had the pleasure of attending the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Citizen Awards in Washington, DC, where the Odessa Chamber of Commerce was a finalist in the Best Civic Engagement Program category. Even though they did not win the title, our office is incredibly proud of their entire team for this accomplishment and recognition. Texas-11 is the best place to live, work, and raise a family, and I am grateful to represent so many amazing people dedicated to serving their communities.
UNtaxed Act
Today, I introduced the UNtaxed Act alongside several of my colleagues on the Republican Study Committee to prevent the United Nations (UN) from ever implementing a global carbon tax. This comes in response to the fact that earlier this year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was scheduled to adopt a "net zero framework" for the international shipping industry. This is a de facto global carbon tax on emissions and could increase global shipping costs by 10% or more.
I am proud to lead this effort to ensure that the UN has no legal authority to impose taxes on American citizens or companies. I also penned an op-ed in the Washington Examiner making the case for the UNtaxed Act. Read it here or by clicking on the image below.
American Cattle Ranchers are the Backbone of Food Security
I remain fully committed to supporting American agriculture and the hard-working men and women who keep our food supply strong. This week, I met with leaders from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and I spoke with House Speaker Mike Johnson about the reports of potential beef imports from Argentina. My stance hasn't changed: American cattle ranchers are the backbone of our food security and a cornerstone of our economy, and we must support them. They work tirelessly to provide the highest quality beef for American families. Today’s higher prices are a result of strong demand, not a shortage of supply, and importing foreign beef would only discourage U.S. ranchers from expanding their herds and investing in domestic production.
Bringing in beef from countries with checkered animal health records also risks the integrity of our domestic herds and undermines the gold-standard health and safety practices upheld by American producers.
Mason Town Hall Next Week
I will be hosting a community town hall in Mason next week. I hope to see you there!
Mason Town Hall
Tuesday, November 4th at 11:00 am
Mason Bank
111 Westmoreland Street
Mason, Texas 76856
ICYMI: Government Shutdown Resource and FAQ Page
As your elected representative, I want to ensure you have the information and resources you need to understand how the government shutdown may impact you and your family. Please visit my website here or by clicking the images below to access our Government Shutdown Resource and FAQ Page for answers to common questions and guidance on available federal services.
As previously mentioned, my offices remain open and ready to serve constituents across Texas's 11th District. Please don't hesitate to reach out if my team or I can be of assistance.
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.
