Email from Rep. Pfluger It is incredibly disappointing that we are on day twenty-four of the Democrats' reckless government shutdown, and that Senate Democrats have officially voted twelve times to keep the government closed October 24, 2025 Friend, Welcome back to the 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 is incredibly disappointing that we are on day twenty-four of the Democrats' reckless government shutdown, and that Senate Democrats have officially voted twelve times to keep the government closed. While Democrats continue to hold the government hostage, I am still committed to serving you in Congress. This week, I held a town hall, attended the Permian Basin International Oil Show, and continued calling for Democrats to stop the nonsense and open the government. REMINDER: My offices across the district and in Washington, D.C. will remain open and fully staffed throughout the entirety of the shutdown. You can also visit our Government Shutdown Resource and FAQ page for answers to common questions and access to federal resources. 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, if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.  Best, Senate Democrats Block Pay for Federal Employees This week, 45 Senate Democrats voted against paying federal workers who are being forced to work without pay during the government shutdown they orchestrated. It's extremely disappointing that this piece of legislation was blocked, but it is not surprising. It continues to remain clear that Democrats are willing to make hardworking Americans suffer in pursuit of their political agenda. Top House Democrat Uses American Families as "Leverage" During Shutdown In addition to the 45 Senate Democrats who voted to block federal workers from getting paid this week, the Democrat House Minority Whip openly admitted in an interview on Capitol Hill that Democrats are using struggling American families as "political leverage" during the government shutdown. I am appalled at these comments. American families are my top priority in Congress, and I came to Washington to vote for their betterment. Read my full statement on these egregious comments in Fox News here or by clicking the image below. Ensuring Fairness for Texas Cattle Ranchers American cattle ranchers are the backbone of our food security and a cornerstone of our economy, working tirelessly to provide the highest quality beef for American families. Today’s higher prices are a result of strong demand, not a shortage of supply, and importing foreign beef would only discourage U.S. ranchers from expanding their herds and investing in domestic production. Bringing in beef from countries with checkered animal health records also risks the integrity of our domestic herds and undermines the gold-standard health and safety practices upheld by American producers. In response to the reports of potential beef imports from Argentina, I joined several of my colleagues this week in sending a letter to the Trump Administration, highlighting how American ranchers supply the world's highest-quality beef and should not be undercut by foreign imports produced at lower standards. I am proud to stand with some of the strongest American beef supporters in Congress to ensure we keep investing in and supporting American agriculture. Read more about the letter here or by clicking the image below. Llano Town Hall I'm grateful to everyone who came out to share their thoughts and ideas at our community town hall in Llano this week. During the town hall, I also had the privilege of recognizing the Llano Yellow Jacket High School Band for receiving superior ratings at the UIL Region 32 Marching Band Contest with their show entitled, "Enchanted." I was incredibly impressed by the civil discussion focused on finding real solutions and mutual understanding on key issues for our community. The message from Texans was clear: it’s time to end the political games and reopen the government. While Democrats continue to hold the government hostage and openly admit to using American families as leverage for their political agenda, I am committed to fighting for hardworking American families and getting back to work in Washington. Permian Basin International Oil Show I had a fantastic time joining energy industry leaders at the Permian Basin International Oil Show (PBIOS) in Odessa this week. As one of the largest gatherings in the oil and gas industry, the event has grown significantly since its start in the 1940s. The growth of the PBIOS is a testament to the strength of the energy industry and the role that the Permian Basin plays in fueling our country. Always proud to stand alongside energy producers in Texas-11! Morning Show on KWEL AM 1070 with Craig Anderson I had a great time joining the Morning Show on KWEL AM 1070, hosted by Craig Anderson, this morning. We discussed the ongoing Democrat government shutdown, the appalling comment by the House Democrat Whip, and much more. Listen to our full conversation here or by clicking the image below. ICYMI: Government Shutdown Resource and FAQ Page As your elected representative, I want to ensure you have the information and resources you need to understand how the government shutdown may impact you and your family. Please visit my website here or by clicking the images below to access our Government Shutdown Resource and FAQ Page for answers to common questions and guidance on available federal services. As previously mentioned, my offices remain open and ready to serve constituents across Texas's 11th District. Please don't hesitate to reach out if my team or I can be of assistance. Deadline Approaching: 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]. 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