April 28, 2023

Voted to Cut $4.8 trillion in Spending, Fix Debt Limit This week, House Republicans passed our plan to fix the national debt crisis, save nearly $5 trillion in the next ten years, put an end to government programs that are being against our own citizens, and get people back to work—all while protecting Medicare and Social Security and restoring American energy dominance. President Biden must make the right choice for Americans and come to the table to negotiate.   Here's some more information about the Limit, Save Grow Act:   Limit future spending by returning discretionary spending to pre-pandemic levels while maintaining a strong national defense and protecting Medicare and Social Security Reduces excessive government spending by setting FY24 discretionary spending at FY22 levels ($129 billion in immediate savings) Caps growth of discretionary spending at 1% per year for the next ten years while maintaining current funding for national defense, veterans, and national security ($3.2 trillion savings over ten years) Protects funding of our national defense and makes no cuts to Medicare or Social Security Save taxpayer money Claws back unobligated COVID funds ($29.5 billion in immediate savings) Defunds the Democrats’ massive expansion of the IRS ($71.5 billion in immediate savings) Repeals federal spending on Green New Deal tax credits ($569.5 billion in savings) Prohibits the illegal Biden student loan bailout ($460 billion in savings) These reasonable fiscal reforms save $547 billion in interest payments on our national debt Grow the economy and workforce by increasing American energy production, reducing federal regulatory burdens, and instituting reasonable work requirements for able-bodied citizens who receive federal benefits Includes the REINS Act to require Congressional approval of any federal regulation that has an economic effect of at least $100 million, spurring economic growth and reducing the burden on small businesses and families Institutes reasonable, work requirements on SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid to lift people out of poverty, grow the workforce, and reduce federal entitlement spending ($120.1 billion in savings) Includes H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act to increase domestic energy production and exportation, reduce regulatory burdens, and reform permitting across all sectors of the economy ($3.4 billion in savings)

Grand Opening at Killeen Office On Monday there was a wonderful celebration of our new office — the first Congressional Office ever opened in Killeen! Thank you to the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce for assisting in our ribbon cutting and open house ceremonies, to the community and local officials for taking the time to join us, and to the Killeen Independent School District and the Board of Trustees for opening their doors to us and providing a wonderful location to serve the constituents of the 11th District of Texas.

Securing the Border This week, the Homeland Security Committee introduced the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023 to secure the border. It will restart construction on the border wall, hire more border patrol officers, and allow us to understand who and what is crossing our border. Texans understand that the security of our border is not just a pie-in-the-sky talking point, it is quite literally life and death. I’m proud to have co-authored this plan that delivers on our promise to secure the border. I set the facts straight about the reality of the border crisis in our Committee Markup. Watch below:

Demanding Answers on the Chinese Communist Party Police Station in New York This week, Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green and I sent a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting information on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) clandestine ‘police stations’ uncovered in New York City and reportedly elsewhere in the country, which violates our nation’s sovereignty by suppressing Chinese dissidents living in the U.S., conducting surveillance, and spreading CCP propaganda.   In the letter, we write: “The Committee is examining the persistent threats posed by the CCP to U.S. homeland security, in which the CCP continues to brazenly violate U.S. autonomy. In February 2023, the CCP flew a surveillance balloon across the majority of the continental United States, collecting intelligence on sensitive military and homeland security sites. The Committee continues to monitor and take action against Chinese Confucius Institutes and other Chinese entities of concern, which are operated on U.S. college campuses at the behest of the CCP to commit academic espionage. While the New York Chinese police station has been shut down, our work to mitigate CCP threats to the homeland is far from over.”   Read the full letter here.

Flatland Cavalry in Washington, DC It was so awesome to meet Texas Country Band Flatland Cavalry at the U.S. Capitol this week. These guys started in Midland, Texas, and are now selling out shows in New York City and Washington, DC. They make Texas-11 proud!

President of Korea Addresses Congress Yesterday, the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, delivered remarks to a joint meeting of Congress.  In his address, the Korean President honored Korean War Veterans like Poppy—my wife Camille's beloved grandfather Jack Birkner. Poppy didn’t have to serve. He didn’t know the Korean people, but he believed in their freedoms.  One of the most memorable moments my family had was when Poppy traveled to DC on an Honor Flight with fellow Aggies. Because my girls saw this Honor Flight, they understand the importance of saying thank you and having respect for men and women that sign up to serve our country.  Thank you to all our Korean War Heroes and President Yoon for his commitment to maintaining peace in Asia and friendship with America!

Art Competition: EXTENDED DEADLINE Wednesday, May 3rd is the NEW deadline for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition! High School Students can submit their artwork here.

New Odessa Office Ribbon Cutting and Office Open House On Monday, May 1st, I will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House celebrating our recently-relocated office in Odessa. I hope to see you there! Monday, May 1st, at 4:00 PM Ector County Administration Building, Commissioners Courtroom, 1010 E 8th St., Odessa, TX 79761

Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily updates.

Rep. August Pfluger Member of Congress