September 1, 2023

Investigating Threats Posed to our Homeland by Iran Yesterday, Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green and I sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and National Counterterrorism Center Director Christine Abizaid demanding action and accountability from the Biden administration in the wake of Iran’s growing threats and retaliation on U.S. soil. Iran has threatened to retaliate against American citizens, including former President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and others for the January 2020 killing of terrorist Qasem Soleimani. These threats are increasingly concerning as the Biden Administration is negotiating a new nuclear deal with Iran. The Homeland Security Committee must fully understand the threats posed to American citizens by Iran. We are requesting a classified briefing as well as information about the agencies’ coordination efforts to counter the activities of the regime. The letter was featured in the Washington Free Beacon, which can be found here or below.

Biden Official Should Visit Permian Basin This week, I sent a letter inviting the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to the Permian Basin to hold a public hearing on the Biden Administration's decision to list the dunes sagebrush lizard as endangered. On the campaign trail, President Biden promised to kill the fossil fuel industry, and that's the only promise we can count on him keeping. His latest tactic—listing the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species so he can shut down drilling in the Permian—is just the latest in a string of assaults on the Permian Basin and our way of life. The Biden Administration’s Director in charge of listing this lizard has not visited the Permian Basin or provided me with scientific evidence to back up the claim that the lizard is "endangered." If they are willing to cripple the energy industry, threaten our national security, and obliterate tens of thousands of jobs in our district in a so-called effort to save a lizard, they need to face the communities they want to destroy. The Daily Caller covered my efforts to protect energy workers from the Biden Administration's efforts to halt drilling. Read it here or below.

WOTUS is Threatening the Livelihoods of Energy Workers & Ag Producers Once again, the Biden Administration has revised its definition of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) to bring more waterways under the control of the federal government. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court made it clear through Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the Biden Administration was committing bureaucratic overreach into WOTUS and did not have the authority to regulate unnavigable waters. Their new rule disregards the guidance of the Supreme Court. President Biden and the EPA don't get to control every drop of water in Texas or tell Americans what they can do on their private property. I will continue my work on fighting against this federal overreach for our district.

Llano County Quilt of Valor Presentation Carol Cunningham in our Llano office attended the County Quilt of Valor Presentation at the American Legion Post. The Mission of the Quilts of Valor is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Commander Kenneth Poe and WWII Veteran Don Picard were recognized and honored with handmade quilts. As a 97-year-old, Mr. Picard told Carol the secret to his long life is hard work and a positive attitude. He still drives and lives alone! Thank you to all of the heroes who have served.

Speaking to the Texas Farm Bureau in Rowena Thank you to the Texas Farm Bureau for inviting me out to the iconic Lowake Steakhouse in Rowena. It was wonderful to meet with a group of nearly 100 Farm Bureau leaders and agriculture families from 15 counties across Texas.

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