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Originally Published in the Odessa American on March 31, 2026.

Almost two months into a partial government shutdown, President Trump has signed an executive order to have Transportation Security Agency employees paid to ease airport lines, a move U.S. Rep. August Pfluger applauds.

“We’re 45 days into a government shutdown. Democrats have now voted at least four times to defund Border Patrol, to defund customs agents, to defund TSA agents, to defund ICE agents,” Pfluger said.

“I have voted four times to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security that was formed in the wake of 9/11 as a result of the most horrific terrorist attack that the world has ever seen, and have voted to fully fund the security apparatus that is charged with keeping our homeland safe, that is charged with getting rid of those (on) the terror watch list that are in our country right now, that Joe Biden let in, that are charged with identifying and deporting Lake and Riley’s killer and Jocelyn Nungaray’s killer, and those who are here illegally that refuse to comply with the law,” he added.

Pfluger said this not only is this completely tragic, but the complete and total desecration of U.S. laws and to deconstruct the rule of law.

“They know that if they can do it at our borders, that they can do it within our borders as well. It is extremely sad and tragic that our Democrat colleagues are not part of the solution. They are obstructing, in every way possible, the funding of one of the most critical agencies in our country. Oh, by the way, that is responsible for emergency management FEMA that has that has helped my district many times since I’ve been elected,” Pfluger said.

Nitazenes, synthetic opioids, are another priority for Pfluger.

Pfluger, (Texas 11), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07) introduced the House version of Senator Eric Schmitt’s Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Nitazenes Act of 2026 (DETECT Nitazenes Act) to address the alarming rise in Nitazenes, a new class of synthetic opioids that are stronger and deadlier than fentanyl.

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate to coordinate with the Drug Enforcement Administration to enhance technologies to detect illicit substances, particularly Nitazenes, at extremely low concentrations.

It will also give law enforcement the resources, research, capacity, and technology needed to interdict and eliminate nitazenes.

“It’s a new class of synthetic opioids. These are even more potent than fentanyl. They’ve been added to the National Drug Threat Assessment that has said that we need further legislation to help combat it, to identify it, to detect these drugs,” Pfluger said.

Pfluger said he has authored previous legislation to help the DEA.

Asked if Nitazines are infiltrating District 11, Pfluger said, “My assumption is yes. I don’t have the data on exactly what the penetration is to our own district, but they’re everywhere, and this is a problem everywhere,” he said.

“These are something that the cartels are using to traffic into the United States and they’re always looking for something more potent. … Fentanyl is exceedingly deadly, but what they do is they cut other substances with these particular substances … You can use just a little bit. It’s an economics problem. It’s more effective. They use less, and then they can it can continue to sell for a profit. That’s really what we’re talking about here,” Pfluger added.

Legislation was also passed recently to fund the Midland International Air and Spaceport.

“It’s $14.3 million for Midland International Airport, and it’s going to add about 15,000 square feet, but also allow, especially TSA, to handle more travelers more efficiently, to give them more space,” Pfluger said.

He added that he basically had to advocate to the Department of Transportation, which he does frequently.

“We got all alongside local leaders and advocated for this, and are very to have been awarded this. It was actually in a pretty quick manner that we did,” Pfluger said.

He added that the grant is going mainly towards terminal expansion.

The money will be used for phase 3 of the terminal expansion, which will cover the terminals, the entire HVAC system and related components.

Pfluger said he was very happy to see the legislation pass and the funds delivered to Midland.

“Odessa is so important. You have a lot of people flying in that work there. They may not not live there. They may commute, but they fly in on a weekly basis in order to to do the energy work that we know needs to be done. We’ve got to keep pace with the airport, so that’s why this was a no-brainer,” Pfluger said.