Pfluger, August RSS Articles

Rep. Pfluger Celebrates Launch of Trump Accounts for America's Next Generation

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) celebrated the historic launch of Trump Accounts, made possible by Congressional Republicans passing the Working Families Tax Cuts Act last year.

A Trump Account is a new tax-advantaged investment account created for American children, established under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Every eligible child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, receives a $1,000 seed deposit from the U.S. Treasury to kick-start their account, with contributions from family, friends, and employers helping the fund grow tax-deferred over time.

Ahead of President Trump's State of the Union address earlier this year, Congressman Pfluger penned a timely op-ed in the San Angelo Standard-Times, shining a spotlight on the creation of Trump Accounts.

Read the piece HERE or by clicking the image below.

Learn more about Trump Accounts HERE.

RSC Chairman Pfluger Co-Leads Roundtable Celebrating America's 250th Birthday, One Year of Working Families Tax Cuts

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), co-led a member roundtable with his colleagues to celebrate America's 250th birthday and the first anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts, delivering for hardworking families across the country.

On America's 250th birthday, RSC members reaffirmed their commitment to the timeless principles forged on the American frontier and across Texas today: limited government, individual liberty, and the unshakable belief that hardworking families, not Washington bureaucrats, know best how to build a life and spend their own money.

During the roundtable, RSC Chairman Pfluger said: "America's story has become one of resilience, one of a people who refused to quit because America was never built by people who played it safe. It was built by those who believed that they must fight for it every single day, and who handed it to the next generation longer than they found it, and that's the legacy we inherited. It's a standard that we are obligated to meet over the next 250 years."

A few of the historic wins mentioned during the roundtable included:

· Extending the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts

· Creation of Trump Accounts

· Investing and fully securing the southern border

· Bringing back American manufacturing and restoring American jobs

· $50 billion investment to rural health care through the Rural Health Transformation Program

· Rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs like Medicaid and Medicare

· Delivering historic investments in our military and national defense

· $12 billion rescissions package to save taxpayer money

Watch the full roundtable HERE.

CTI Chairman Pfluger Highlights Historic Border Investments & Sounds the Alarm on Known and Suspected Terrorists

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, delivered opening remarks and questioned witnesses during a hearing on securing the Northern border.

Chairman Pfluger has consistently been a strong advocate for security measures to deter known and suspected terrorists from exploiting gaps at America's borders. He questioned witnesses on how these threats are being specifically addressed along the Northern border.

During the hearing, Chairman Pfluger highlighted the historic border security investments that Republicans passed as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts. This funding has allowed the Department of Homeland Security to increase staffing, upgrade facilities, and improve surveillance capabilities. Witnesses also testified that morale across the department has improved now that federal law enforcement personnel are able to fully carry out their assigned duties.

Witnesses included Jason Schneider, Acting Deputy Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Chris Holtzer, Executive Director of Operations, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Michael J. Krol, Assistant Director, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Heather MacLeod, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Government Accountability Office.

Watch Chairman Pfluger's full line of questioning HERE.

Rep. Pfluger Speaks on the House Floor to Honor the Life and Legacy of Ed Scott

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) took to the House Floor to honor the life and legacy of Ed Scott, a beloved member of the Midland community whose life was tragically taken on June 12th, 2026. In his remarks, Rep. Pfluger celebrated Mr. Scott's faithful service as a City of Midland employee, his three decades of umpiring softball, and the generations of young athletes across the Permian Basin who were shaped by his mentorship.

Watch his full remarks HERE.

Read his remarks as delivered below:

I rise today in memory of Ed Scott, whose life was taken by a senseless act of violence on June 12^th, 2026.

Ed graduated from Lake View High School in San Angelo. He was a dedicated City of Midland employee, serving his community for many years.

He was well known throughout Midland and West Texas for his involvement in softball, where he spent over 30 years as an umpire officiating recreational, high school, and collegiate games. Ed’s impact extended far beyond the softball field. He devoted much of his time to mentoring young athletes and umpires, creating memories that will live on for generations.

The loss of Ed Scott leaves a void that cannot be filled. He was the kind of man who made his community stronger simply by being part of it. His love for family and dedication to softball will continue to inspire all who knew him.

We continue to pray for his wife, Laura, his children, grandchildren, and the entire community of Midland. May God grant them peace, and may his memory serve as a blessing to all who knew him.

Rep. Pfluger Welcomes Secretary Duffy to San Angelo Regional Airport, Highlights $18 Million Investment for West Texas Aviation

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

SAN ANGELO, TX — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) welcomed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy for a tour of the San Angelo Regional Airport (SJT) air traffic control tower and a firsthand look at the thriving aviation program taking shape at Angelo State University (ASU) that is producing skilled pilots and air traffic controllers.

During the visit, Secretary Duffy announced that the airport will receive $18 million as part of the $12.5 billion federal investment to modernize air traffic control towers nationwide. This announcement reflects a longstanding priority for Congressman Pfluger, who has consistently advocated for modernizing aging air traffic control infrastructure at SJT. The funding will modernize the tower's critical infrastructure by replacing copper telecommunications lines with fiber optics and installing a new digital voice switch, next-generation radios, a new FAA radar, and modern digital information displays.

Following the tower tour, Congressman Pfluger and Secretary Duffy participated in a roundtable discussion with representatives from ASU, Goodfellow Air Force Base, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, stakeholders, and local leaders to discuss further modernization of the existing tower to meet the increasing demands of daily airport traffic operations.

"San Angelo has a long history of training the world’s best aviators, and I’m glad to welcome Transportation Secretary Duffy to our district to see this firsthand. The combination of abundant airspace, outstanding weather, and the best facilities in our region make this one of the most ideal places in the country to train pilots. To continue that legacy and keep pace with the demands of aviation, we must replace our aging air traffic control tower, and I commend Secretary Duffy and the Trump administration for recognizing this issue. I look forward to working alongside Secretary Duffy to get this done and ensure San Angelo remains the gold standard for pilot training in this country,” said Congressman Pfluger.

“West Texas is fortunate to have a representative in Congress like Rep. Pfluger. His advocacy helped secure $18 million for air traffic control upgrades to SJT’s tower serving over 100,000 passengers annually. We’re also thrilled to welcome Angelo State University into our E-CTI program, which will help more Texans pursue their dreams and reverse years of air traffic controller shortages,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy.

Rep. Pfluger's Bill to Strengthen Intelligence Sharing Advances Through Committee on Homeland Security

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, spoke in favor of his legislation, the I&A Mission Reorientation Act of 2026. The legislation was advanced out of the Committee on Homeland Security by a bipartisan vote.

The "I&A Mission Reorientation Act of 2026" would update I&A’s statutory responsibility to clearly define its focus, reinforce accountability, and improve operational effectiveness. The legislation would strengthen information sharing with state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners.

“The threats to our homeland are evolving, and it is critical that our intelligence posture keeps pace. The I&A Mission Reorientation Act refocused DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis on its core mission to deliver timely, actionable intelligence to state and local partners on the front lines. By strengthening information sharing and expanding our forward-deployed capabilities, this bill will close critical gaps and ensure intelligence flows swiftly to decision-makers on the ground,” Chairman Pfluger said on the need for this legislation.

Watch Chairman Pfluger's full remarks in support of the legislation HERE.

Read Rep. Pfluger's remarks below:

Rep Pfluger: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. While it's small and often overlooked, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis carries one of the most operationally important missions of the intelligence community. Of the 18 IC members, I&A is the only agency with a statutory obligation to share intelligence with state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners. [This is] a responsibility that sits at the core of securing our homeland, and with 1000s of law enforcement agencies across the country, I&A is the most effective when its personnel are embedded with those partners working directly in environments where threats surface, and decisions must be made. The I&A Mission Reorientation Act reflects this fundamental truth. It refocuses its efforts on its foundational responsibility, delivering timely, actionable, and operationally relevant intelligence to the front line. This reorientation is urgently needed. Persistent challenges in the broader information-sharing ecosystem continue to hinder our partners' ability to act quickly. At a roundtable with law enforcement last month, we were reminded that gaps remain in the timelines of threat dissemination and in the interoperability of the federal, state, and local systems. These issues are compounded by uneven information flow between the agencies and fusion centers and partners, and by the need for intelligence products that are tailored to operational realities rather than broad strategic assessments. In recent years, too much of INA’s workforce has been concentrated at headquarters, with too few personnel deployed in the field. That shift has weakened the two-way flow of intelligence, leaving our partners too often providing more actionable information upward than they receive in return. Several of the bills we are marking up today aim to correct this imbalance by sharpening the mission, improving training and oversight, and ensuring the agency fully embodies its unique stakeholder-facing role. I seek unanimous consent, Mr. Chairman, to enter a letter from the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, Major County Sheriffs of America, and the National Fusion Center Association, dated June 24, 2026, into the record.

Chairman Garbarino: Without objection.

Rep Pfluger: This letter calls out the great work that the committee has done so far to engage with fusion center leaders, state and local law enforcement agencies, and homeland security stakeholders on several pieces of legislation to reform DHS’s office of I&A, including six bills that we are voting on today. Meaningful reform to this agency has been a long time coming, and I'm proud to have a bill on today's markup that refocuses their mission where it belongs, to put field personnel back into a position of being supported. There are several other pieces of legislation related to I&A reform that I'm hopeful we will be able to move in a future markup, including field integration of Homeland Security’s Intelligence Act, which will codify and reinforce support to those partners in two-way information sharing that is so critical to Homeland Security. The work is especially important now as we see the World Cup and the 250th anniversary of our country taking place. There are massive crowds and an increased risk all across the country, and field officers are the ones who make the security of our country possible. They build and sustain trusted human networks and serve as the local face of intelligence sharing, and provide a subnational context that headquarters simply cannot replicate. Emerging technologies, including drones, artificial intelligence, and others, are being rapidly exploited, and we have to find a way to combat those threats. Meeting this moment demands seamless coordination across jurisdictions, real-time intelligence sharing, and strong regional partnerships capable of rapid prevention and response. To achieve that, I&A must be structurally aligned with its mission, and that's what this bill does. It appropriately advances the reorientation [of I&A]. Mister Chairman, I'd also say that this has been a bipartisan work, that we have come together with many roundtables and discussions, and I thank my colleagues for that work. I especially want to thank Representative Fedorchak and Ranking Member Magaziner, and Representative Pou, for their partnership in advancing this legislation. I yield back.

Rep. Pfluger Selected to Decorate Texas Scene for America's 250th Birthday Cake

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) was selected by the America250 Congressional Caucus to decorate the State of Texas's scene for America's 250th Birthday Cake, a landmark commemorative project that will be displayed in Washington, D.C. for millions of visitors.

Representing Texas's proud energy heritage, Congressman Pfluger decorated an oil derrick and pumpjack made entirely from modeling chocolate and finished with edible gold paint. The decoration will be incorporated into the final cake alongside representations from all 50 states and four U.S. territories. Joining Congressman Pfluger in the decorating process was Lead Cake Artist Grace Pak, widely recognized for her appearance on the Netflix series "Is It Cake?"

The America250 Birthday Cake project is an initiative of the America250 Congressional Caucus and Commission, which is dedicated to planning and coordinating the nation's semiquincentennial celebrations. You can learn more information about the America250 Congressional Caucus and Commission here.

Pictures from the cake decorating are available HERE for broadcast and distribution.

Rep. Pfluger Leads Legislation to Bring Price Transparency to Health Insurance Premiums

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the Premium Transparency Act to require health insurers and Medicare Advantage plans to publicly disclose exactly what share of every premium dollar goes to patient care versus overhead and profit. This bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to standardize how insurers communicate benefits and cost-sharing, giving consumers the ability to make true comparisons between plans.

"Americans deserve to know where their health insurance dollars are actually going. Right now, insurers are required to spend at least 80 to 85 cents of every premium dollar on patient care, but that data is buried in regulatory filings that few Americans ever see. This legislation changes that, bringing prices into the open in plain language that any patient, family, or employer can understand. President Trump's Great American Health Care Plan puts patients first, and the Premium Transparency Act helps codify that promise," said Rep. Pfluger (TX-11).

“Hardworking families deserve to understand their health plans. By requiring insurance companies to disclose the benefits and coverage in plain-language explanations across all plans, we're giving Americans the tools to demand better value for their health care. This is a cornerstone of President Trump's Great American Health Care plan, and it ensures that our health plans are working for patients—transparently," said Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01).

Key Actions of the Premium Transparency Act:

Requires commercial health insurers in the individual and group markets to publicly post, beginning plan year 2027, the share of every premium dollar spent on patient claims, quality improvement, and overhead or profit.

Applies the same disclosure standard to Medicare Advantage organizations, requiring plan-level public reporting of total revenue, claims spending, non-claims costs, and the resulting medical loss ratio — at a time when Medicare Advantage gross margins per enrollee have reached $1,655, the highest of any insurance market.

Directs HHS to issue guidance by January 1, 2028, standardizing how plans communicate premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing for common services in plain English — and requires ACA exchanges to display this data alongside plan offerings.

Rep. Pfluger Announces Over 5,000 Cases Closed and $20.3 Million Returned to Citizens of Texas-11

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) proudly announced that his dedicated district staff has achieved a monumental milestone in their service to the constituents of the 11th District of Texas. Through their tireless efforts, they have successfully closed over 5,000 cases — resulting in the return of an impactful $20.3 million to the community. This is money that federal agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, and VA failed to deliver.

"I am incredibly proud of my district staff and their dedication to serving the constituents of Texas-11," said Rep. Pfluger. "Every day, they work to obtain the hard-earned benefits and services of Americans from various federal agencies. Closing over 5,000 cases and returning $20.3 million is a testament to their service and dedication to seeing our communities thrive. We have six district offices across Texas-11 open full-time, working on issues like recovering lost Social Security checks, restoring rightful benefits and assistance for veterans, and cutting through bureaucratic red tape. Their work directly and positively impacts the lives of those we serve. It is an honor to work on your behalf, advancing the policy priorities of our district and helping to secure relief. If you ever need assistance with a federal agency, please don't hesitate to call my office."

The services provided by Congressman Pfluger's district staff include a wide range of assistance—from helping veterans navigate the complexities of the VA to resolving issues related to Social Security, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and more. As the representative for the 11th District of Texas, Congressman Pfluger remains resolute in his commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of his community. The exceptional work of his district staff embodies this commitment, and their dedication sets a high standard for public service.

For assistance from Congressman Pfluger’s office, visit his website pfluger.house.gov. To learn more information about Congressman August Pfluger and his work for the 11th District of Texas, sign up for the Pfluger Fly-By newsletter at pfluger.house.gov/contact/subscribe.htm.

Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 225-3605

Brownwood Office: (325) 646-1950

Killeen Office: (254) 669-6570

Llano Office: (325) 247-2826

Midland Office: (432) 687-2390

Odessa Office: (432) 331-9667

San Angelo Office: (325) 659-4010

Rep. Pfluger's Office Wins Another Performance Award

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) released the following statement celebrating that his office was selected as the Congressional Management Foundation's 2026 Democracy Award winner for Best of Innovation and Modernization:

"Over the past year, my office has implemented new processes behind the scenes to streamline our workflows and better serve the constituents of Texas's 11th District. The results speak for themselves: 4,987 cases closed and over $20 million returned to the people we serve. This award reflects the hard work of my entire team, who are always looking for smarter, more efficient ways to help constituents get the help they need. Thank you to CMF for this award, and my office looks forward to building on this progress in the years ahead."

Jen Daulby, CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, said, “Innovation is most meaningful when it helps an office serve constituents more effectively and make better use of its resources. Rep. Pfluger’s office demonstrated exactly that, thoughtfully integrating artificial intelligence and redesigning workflows to improve operations and free staff to focus on higher-value work. What they created isn’t simply a promising experiment, it’s a practical model for how congressional offices can embrace innovation while strengthening their core mission."

Background:

The Congressional Management Foundation's (CMF) Democracy Awards is a signature program recognizing the best in congressional non-legislative achievement. These nonpartisan awards celebrate Members of Congress and their staff who exemplify outstanding public service, operational excellence, and innovative practices that strengthen our democracy.

Each year, congressional offices self-nominate for the Democracy Awards during an open nomination period. Offices complete category-specific nomination surveys and provide additional supplementary materials, which are evaluated by CMF staff. Following this initial evaluation, Democracy Awards winners are selected by an independent selection committee.

The Best of Innovation and Modernization award, received by Rep. Pfluger's office, recognizes offices that have implemented innovative strategies or tools to enhance operational efficiency, constituent services, internal processes, or modernization of the institution. A winner in this category showcases innovation that has driven meaningful improvements, making the congressional office more responsive, efficient, and modernized in its work. As a result, Rep. Pfluger's office has closed 5,000 cases and returned over $20 million to constituents in Texas-11.

Last year, Rep. Pfluger's office received the Best of Constituent Correspondence and Outreach award, which recognizes the highest standards in constituent communication.

A full list of the 2026 Democracy Awards winners can be found on the CMF website.