January 26, 2024

President Biden Chooses Climate Change Activists over National Security

This morning, President Biden ordered an indefinite pause on approvals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals. This move cripples American producers while handing a huge win to our adversaries and dirty global polluters like China and Russia. U.S. LNG helped Europe through a potential energy catastrophe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and we must not underestimate the important role US LNG cargoes played in handicapping Putin’s efforts.

American resources keep the United States and our allies safe, and the President’s decision to undercut this geopolitical tool will have significant national security, economic, and environmental consequences. 

Supreme Court Rules Against Texas

The Supreme Court voted 5-4 this week allowing the federal government to resume cutting razor wire that the State of Texas installed along a stretch of the southern border to deter the flow of illegal migrant crossings. I am disappointed by this decision. The Biden Administration has proven that they are unwilling to protect Texans from the consequences of mass illegal migration.

Since President Biden took office, nearly nine million illegal aliens have entered our country, including 300 known and suspected terrorists and countless convicted criminals. Texas should not be punished for protecting its citizens and border when the White House will not. 

Next week, the House Committee on Homeland Security will vote on articles of impeachment for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Secretary Mayorkas is derelict in his duty to follow the laws on the books and protect our country from illegal migration. I will continue to lead the fight in Washington to secure the border and end this crisis. 

Expanding U.S. Pipeline Infrastructure

As a member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security, I was pleased to participate in a hearing to highlight the need to expand pipeline infrastructure in the United States to bring affordable energy to Americans. I will continue to be a strong advocate for clean, domestic energy production. Watch here or below for my line of questioning. 

CBS7: Year in Review for Texas-11

It was a pleasure to join Jay Hendricks at CBS7 News to discuss the work being done in Washington for Texas-11. In my three years in office, I have fought to restore energy dominance and secure the border while standing up to the Biden Administration's radical policies. Watch the full interview here or below.

Protecting American's Choice in Vehicles

I joined a group of 121 House and Senate lawmakers in sending a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urging the withdrawal of the Biden Administration's proposed fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. These proposed standards would phase out gas-powered vehicles, forcing Americans to drive electric vehicles.

Rural America knows that electric vehicles do not work for everyone. The federal government does not have the right to dictate what type of vehicle Texans can or cannot drive. This is yet again another ploy for the Biden Administration to force their extreme climate agenda on Americans. Read the full letter here or below.

Oversight of NIL

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce held a hearing to examine the use of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in collegiate athletic programs. A federal NIL standard must balance the talents of student-athletes with the long-term viability of college sports. This is an issue Congress must address, and I was pleased to participate in one of the first hearings as we work to develop balanced legislation. Watch here or below to watch my line of questioning. 

Protecting our Communities from Illicit Drugs

This week, I introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Jimmy Panetta of California to help prevent the abuse of tianeptine, commonly known as “gas station heroin,” which is widely available at convenience stores, smoke shops, and across the internet. The Scheduling Tianeptine and Analogues Now to Defend (STAND) Against Emerging Opioids Act would add tianeptine and all of its analogs to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act making it illegal to sell without a prescription.

I am proud to work on bipartisan legislation to place tianeptine under Schedule III—a crucial step to getting this addictive drug out of convenience stores and gas stations. Recognizing proactive state measures and prioritizing safety underscores our commitment to combat the opioid epidemic and protect our communities.

2024 Congressional Art Competition

My office is now accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. The competition is open to all 7-12 grade students in the 11th Congressional District of Texas and is an opportunity for local artists to be recognized for their talents among artists from around the Nation.

The deadline is April 29^th, 2024. Students can register and upload images of their artwork on Congressman Pfluger’s website at: tinyurl.com/TX11Art.

Students are highly encouraged to review the competition’s complete rules and regulations on my website. For more information, please visit tinyurl.com/TX11Art, or contact Cayssia David in the Killeen Office at [email protected].

2024 Pfluger Student Leadership Conference

I am excited to announce the second annual Pfluger Student Leadership Conference. The event is open to all high school students in the 11th District of Texas and will be held on Saturday, February 24th, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Bush Convention Center in Midland, Texas.

The conference will offer students the opportunity to participate in character-building activities and hear powerful messages from dynamic guest speakers while gaining critical knowledge on the fundamentals of leadership.

Space is limited. Students are encouraged to register as soon as possible at: www.tinyurl.com/PflugerStudents.

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