September 8, 2023

Biden Administration Considers Remain-in-Texas Policy This week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke at a town hall meeting and stated that the migrant crisis "will destroy New York City." In his opening remarks, he referenced the 110,000 migrants who have come to New York since March of 2022 and said, “Let me tell you something New Yorkers, never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to — I don’t see an ending to this." 110,000 pales in comparison to the nearly 2 million illegal migrants who crossed into Texas during the same period. New York City is a sanctuary city—meaning the local and state governments have instated policies to obstruct immigration enforcement law and shield criminals from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, now that the largest liberal city in the nation is publicly denouncing the Biden border crisis, the White House is reportedly considering a ‘Remain-in-Texas’ policy for illegal immigrants. This will not stand. I will fight any efforts by this administration to force Texans to bear the brunt of their immigration crisis.

Biden Attacks U.S. Energy Production: Cancels Alaskan Drilling Permits The Biden Administration just announced proposed restrictions and the cancelation of seven drilling leases in Alaska's North Slope. This is yet another attack on American-made energy in President Biden's war on fossil fuels. President Biden begged Saudi Arabia for more oil and berated American oil & and gas producers for not ‘increasing production’ throughout his term. With these new restrictions, he is preventing American energy producers from utilizing nearly 40% of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.   Just a few days ago, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that President Biden will ‘do everything within his toolkit’ to lower gas prices. Unfortunately, this is another example of the Biden administration giving lip service to American families being crushed by high energy prices, while simultaneously implementing policies that will continue to raise costs and hand-deliver the global energy market to OPEC+.   Energy security is national security. If the Biden Administration wants to put thousands of energy workers out of work and risk their livelihoods, he needs to face the communities he will destroy. The President must reverse this disastrous decision and finally recognize the national security importance of affordable, reliable, American-made energy.

Demanding Answers for ISIS-Connected Smuggler at Southern Border Recently, a group of individuals from Uzbekistan and other countries were screened by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and granted asylum in the U.S. After the group entered the country, the FBI discovered a human smuggling network with connections to ISIS helped the foreign nationals travel to the United States and gain entry. As we near the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it is unacceptable that a group of individuals with ties to a terrorist network were allowed to sneak across the southern border amid the surge of migrants entering our country. The border crisis is placing our citizens at risk. In response, I joined my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee demanding answers from FBI Director Wray and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas about the homeland security threat posed by the record number of individuals on the terrorist watchlist apprehended at the Southwest border under the Biden administration. You can read more about our efforts in The Daily Caller here or below.

Legal Challenge on Rio Grande Buoys Continues Early this summer, Governor Greg Abbott deployed floating buoys in the Rio Grande to deter migrants from crossing illegally into Texas. Instead of working with Governor Abbott to secure the border, the Biden Administration focused its efforts on suing Texas for the buoy. On Wednesday, a federal judge issued an injunction against the State of Texas and ordered the removal of 1,000 feet of river buoy barriers in Eagle Pass, Texas, by September 15th—giving Texas a week to remove the buoys. Governor Abbott immediately appealed the ruling and was granted a win on Thursday when the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the barriers can stay pending further movement on the lawsuit. Texas has the right to defend our border while the federal government refuses to. I applaud the Governor, our brave Texas National Guardsmen, and other law enforcement heroes who are on the front lines of this crisis.

The Leaders of Tomorrow I was excited to talk to seniors in Mr. Young's Government Class at Odessa High School about the legislative branch and what our government should be doing. These fantastic students are the leaders of tomorrow. Thank you to Principal Anthony Garcia, Registrar Elisama Flores, and government teacher Brandon Young for welcoming me to Odessa High, and for the work of all of the educators across Texas-11 who are bringing up the next generation!

House Republicans 23 Commitments to America in 2023 Last year, House Republicans made a Commitment to America: Entrust us with the majority, and we will put America on a better path after two years of failed one-party, Democrat rule.  Just eight months into the new majority, Republicans have already accomplished so much to strengthen our economy, make our nation safer, defend our freedoms, and hold Washington accountable.   Here are the 23 ways House Republicans have kept our Commitment to America in 2023:  Reopened the People’s House Ended Proxy Voting Eliminated the Military Vaccine Mandate Restored Regular Order by Requiring 72 Hours to Read a Bill Voted to Repeal Biden’s Army of IRS Agents Established the Bipartisan China Select Committee Restored Integrity to the Intelligence Committee Terminated the COVID National Emergency Voted to Stop the Selling of Our Emergency Oil Reserves to China Created a Select Committee to Expose the Truth of COVID’s Origins Took Action to Block Biden’s WOTUS Rule Created a Select Committee to Stop the Weaponization of Government Nullified DC’s Soft-on-Crime Law Voted to Unleash America’s Energy Independence, the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) Passed the Strongest Border Security Bill in a Generation, the Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2) Voted to Give Every Parent the Right to Have a Say in Their Children’s Education, the Parents Bill of Rights (H.R. 5) Secured the Largest Deficit Reduction in History Reformed Permitting Regulations for the First Time in 40 years Enacted Welfare Work Requirements to Lift People Out of Poverty Clawed Back Billions of Taxpayer Dollars in Unspent COVID Funds Voted to Give Troops Their Biggest Pay Raise in Decades Fully Funded Veterans’ Health Care and Benefits Reasserted Congressional Oversight to Hold the Biden Administration Accountable

Upcoming Service Academy Night I am pleased to host a Service Academy Night for high school students interested in pursuing an education and military career through the U.S. military service academies on October 3rd from 6-8 p.m. The event will be held at the Angelo State University Junell Center in the Larry C. Clark VIP Room, 2235 S. Jackson Street, San Angelo, Texas, 76901. Students, parents, and educators are encouraged to attend! If you have questions or would like to RSVP, please reach out to Mary O'Connor in my office at [email protected].

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