Email from Rep. Pfluger It's been a busy week in Washington. I voted to keep the government open, honored the life of Charlie Kirk, and led several important legislative initiatives. I'm also deeply honored to share that I w September 19, 2025 Friend, Welcome back to the weekly Pfluger Fly-By, a roundup of events and updates to keep you informed about everything I'm doing week by week to represent you in Congress. It's been a busy week in Washington. I voted to keep the government open, honored the life of Charlie Kirk, and led several important legislative initiatives. I'm also deeply honored to share that I was recognized as the 2025 Democracy Award recipient for Best of Constituent Services and Outreach by the Congressional Management Foundation. REMINDER: FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for federal assistance for residents of Texas-11 affected by the July 4th flooding. The new deadline for the ten impacted counties is September 28th. If you're a homeowner, renter, or student and haven't applied yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. Below, you'll find photos and highlights from the week, plus information on how my office can assist you with any federal concerns. As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if we can ever be of assistance.  Best, Voting to Keep the Government Open and Working for YOU Nearly every single House Democrat voted against the Continuing Resolution to fund the government today. It's ironic, now that they are no longer in power, Democrats seem to have forgotten their years of warning that government shutdowns are reckless and harmful to seniors, veterans, and working families. The reality is that a government shutdown today would cost taxpayers billions, put our national security at risk, and hurt my constituents. I was proud to vote for the Continuing Resolution to ensure that every VA clinic remains open, every Social Security recipient receives their benefits on time, and every hardworking federal employee can continue to provide for their family. House Republicans are working tirelessly to restore regular order through the appropriations process, and this was a necessary step to give us the time needed to responsibly fund the government and deliver results for the American people. Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charlie Kirk This week, I spoke on the House Floor in support of Speaker Johnson's resolution to honor the incredible life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was a true American patriot. He was a man of God, a loving husband and father, and an unrelenting advocate for American exceptionalism. His legacy will leave a lasting impact on generations to come, including the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) cadets he inspired during his time as a USAFA Board of Visitors member. Unfortunately, 58 of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle voted against the resolution to condemn political violence and honor Charlie's life. Another 38 voted present, and 22 more did not vote, essentially voting against. It was extremely disappointing to witness this on the House floor today and see how out of touch many of my Democrat colleagues are with Americans. Watch my full remarks in support of the resolution to honor Charlie Kirk here or by clicking on the image below. I will continue to pray for his wife, children, and family during this time. Giving Unborn Children a Second Chance at Life Far too often, women are pressured into taking the abortion pill without being fully informed of all their options. Tragically, many later express deep regret as they come to terms with the loss of their unborn child. It is unacceptable that so many women are never told by their provider that the effects of the first pill can be reversible. This week, I introduced the Second Chance at Life Act to close this critical information gap and establish federal informed consent requirements for the abortion pill, ensuring women receive complete and accurate information about the pill and its potential reversal. This will empower women to make fully informed choices at every stage of the process, protecting their right to know the full details before taking any medication and safeguarding their unborn child’s chance at life. Read more about my legislation in the Daily Signal here or by clicking the image below. 2025 Democracy Awards Ceremony When I first came to Congress, I had one goal in mind: to focus on the people that I represent by being the gold standard for constituent services. I am grateful to the Congressional Management Foundation for recognizing our office as a 2025 Democracy Awards Winner for Best of Constituent Services and Outreach this week. Receiving this award is deeply humbling because it means this goal has stayed top of mind in my service thus far. I will always prioritize serving and engaging with my constituents in Texas-11. It truly is the honor of a lifetime to represent the best district in the country in Congress, and please don't hesitate to call my office if you are in need of assistance. Calling Out Out-of-Touch Biden Era Energy Policies The Biden Administration's Department of Energy (DOE) imposed unrealistic and unfeasible requirements on federal buildings to switch to all-electric systems. These out-of-touch requirements are especially concerning, as federal buildings like Veterans' Affairs (VA) hospitals and military installations are unable to meet these requirements while maintaining proper operating efficiency to care for individuals in need. During an Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on Energy this week, I emphasized the need for flexible energy policies that allow the use of our most reliable energy sources. Watch my full line of questioning here or by clicking the image below. Countering the CCP's Influence in Global Telecommunications This week, I led several of my colleagues in an effort to support the Trump Administration's effort to counter the Chinese Communist Party's influence over global telecommunications. In a letter to Secretary of State Rubio, Secretary of War Hegseth, and Secretary of Commerce Lutnick, we highlighted our shared concerns and the potential consequences of China hosting the 2027 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-27). The WRC reviews and, if necessary, revises the international treaty known as the Radio Regulations, which governs the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits globally. Hosting the WRC provides a significant advantage in setting the agenda and influencing themes in global telecommunications. China's role in hosting the WRC-27 is extremely concerning due to the threat of espionage against government officials and participants in the conference. We must use every tool at our disposal to counter China’s influence and ensure the United States remains at the forefront of global telecommunications leadership. Read more about the letter in The Blaze here or by clicking on the image below. The Urgent Need for Permitting Reform As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I questioned witnesses in an Environment Subcommittee hearing this week on the urgent need for permitting reform. During the hearing, I highlighted how current Clean Air Act permitting can delay certain energy projects for years, skyrocket costs, and pose a huge burden on companies. Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee remain committed to driving down energy costs for hardworking Americans while rolling back burdensome bureaucratic red tape. Watch my full line of questioning here or by clicking on the image below. ICYMI: Mornings with Maria on Fox Business I joined 'Mornings with Maria' on Fox Business to discuss the successful cleanup of crime in the nation's capital, government funding negotiations, Section 230, and the life of Charlie Kirk. Watch my full interview with Maria Bartiromo here or by clicking on the image below. Texans in Washington 2025 Congressional App Challenge My office is accepting submissions for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. This competition is an excellent opportunity for students in middle and high school to further develop their skills in computer science and STEM. Students have until October 30, 2025, to submit their app. Information on the Congressional App Challenge, including how to apply, can be found on my website by clicking here. PRIZES The winning student's app will be displayed on the U.S. House of Representatives website, House.gov, as well as on CongressionalAppChallenge.us The app will be unveiled in a Congressional Reception in Washington, D.C., in late December (date TBD). Additional prizes may be announced. RULES Students will create an application (aka app) for PC, web, tablet, robot, mobile, etc. Any programming such as C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, or "block code" will be accepted. There are NO LIMITS on the application theme or topic. The competition is open to students in 6th-12th grades. Students may work individually or in teams made up of no more than four. Students are highly encouraged to review the competition's complete rules and regulations on the Congressional App Challenge's website. For more information, please visit CongressionalAppChallenge.us or contact Kathy Keane in my office at [email protected]. Deadline Extended: Apply for FEMA Assistance by September 28th Since the devastating floods swept through Central and West Texas on July 4th, my office and I have been working closely with local leaders and officials to ensure that residents in Texas's 11th Congressional District have access to the resources and assistance they need. FEMA has extended the deadline for residents impacted by the floods to apply for FEMA assistance. I strongly encourage homeowners, renters, and students who have not yet applied to do so before the new deadline on Sunday, September 28th. You can apply HERE or by calling 800-621-3362. Additionally, FEMA released information on legal services and disaster case managers available to flood survivors, as unexpected legal issues may arise after a disaster that can leave individuals and families devastated. If you are facing legal issues resulting from the July storms and flooding, you can get free legal advice. Click HERE for more information. REMINDER: If you are in need of assistance with a federal agency, my office is here to help. For more information, please visit our website HERE. Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for daily updates. Rep. Pfluger | 2202 Rayburn HOB | Washington, DC 20002 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice