U.S. Representative August Pfluger (TX-11) was chosen the Ranking Member on the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism.

The Intelligence and Counterterrorism Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the U.S. Secret Service pertaining to the agency’s protective, investigative, and cyber missions. It focuses on identifying and deterring homeland threats through collecting and sharing counterterrorism and intelligence information across federal, state and local law enforcement.

“Protecting our homeland is one of our most sacred duties,” said Congressman August Pfluger. “I am honored to be called to serve as the Ranking Member of the Intelligence and Counterterrorism Subcommittee. I will bring my first-hand experience in the intelligence field to make sure the threats of the 21^stcentury are known, countered, and stopped. I thank Ranking Member Katko for his confidence in me. I will do my very best to uphold my oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

“With a history of protecting and defending our nation as a combat pilot in the U.S. Air Force, August brings expertise and perspectives from which the committee will benefit greatly,” said Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member John Katko. “He has seen the myriad of threats facing our nation and knows that a relentless and aggressive posture is the only option. Situated near the southwest border, his district has witnessed firsthand the damaging impact of weak security and enforcement policies on border state communities. August will be a critical player in advancing the committee’s mission as we build upon the progress made on securing our borders and support our border security professionals. I am thrilled to welcome August to the Committee on Homeland Security and look forward to his leadership on these pressing issues.”

Congressman Pfluger discussed his Ranking Membership with the San Angelo Standard Times. Read more here.

The 11^th District in Texas is a critical intersection of National security for the United States. The district lays just north of the 1,254 miles of shared border between Texas and Mexico and is home to the top oil and gas producing region in the country and millions of acres of farm and ranchland. Ensuring the development and transportation of these resources is safe and secure from chemical, biological, cyber, terroristic, or other physical threats is of the utmost importance.

The Committee on Homeland Security was created by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002 in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. The Committee on Homeland Security is directly involved in border security, intelligence, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and the enforcement of immigration laws. The Committee was first formed as a Select, non-permanent Committee to provide Congressional oversight over the development of the Department of Homeland Security. The Committee was made permanent when it was designated as a Standing Committee of the House on January 4, 2005, the first day of the 109th Congress. It is led by Chairman Bennie Thompson (MI-02) and Republican Ranking Member John Katko (NY-24).