September 18, 2026

Mystic Alerts Act Advances Through Senate Commerce Committee

I am grateful that the Mystic Alerts Act passed through the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation this week. The devastating floods that swept through Central Texas and Camp Mystic, where two of my daughters were staying, exposed a critical gap in how we warn Americans when disaster strikes. This is a major step forward in emergency preparedness nationwide.

The Mystic Alerts Act ensures that emergency alerts can reach families and first responders by satellite, even when traditional networks fail. It would also modernize America's emergency alert infrastructure by integrating satellite networks into the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system, helping ensure Americans can receive critical, life-saving alerts even when traditional communications infrastructure is damaged or nonexistent.

I thank Senator John Cornyn for co-leading this legislation in the Senate and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Senator Ted Cruz for their support. I will not stop until the Mystic Alerts Act reaches the President's desk. We owe it to the families and survivors of the floods to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again.

Watch my remarks in the Committee on Energy and Commerce earlier this year on the need for the Mystic Alerts Act here or by clicking on the image below.

Combating Illicit Xylazine Act Passes the U.S. House of Representatives

I am thrilled that the U.S. House passed my bipartisan and bicameral Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. This legislation would crack down on the deadly fentanyl additive xylazine by listing it as a Schedule III controlled substance while protecting the drug's legal use by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers. Xylazine was never meant for human use, yet drug traffickers are increasingly turning to inexpensive products to make street drugs more potent and deadly. Read more about the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act here or by clicking the image below.

Air, Space, and Cyber Conference with the Air and Space Forces Association

I joined my good friend, Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.) Dean of AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, for a panel conversation at the annual Air, Space, and Cyber Conference. During our conversation, I made the case for why the U.S. Air Force needs more of its veterans on Capitol Hill and invited more air and space professionals to join me in Congress.

I also advocated for increased investment in airpower. The U.S. Air Force is the oldest and smallest it's ever been. We must recapitalize by giving the Department of the Air Force the resources to match the load it is carrying. Congress must invest in the next generation of airpower, and I'm committed to rallying my colleagues together to deliver on this promise. You can read a recap of our conversation in the Air and Space Forces Magazine here or by clicking on the image below.

EMRTAI Authorization Act Passes the U.S. House of Representatives

This week, the U.S. House took a critical step toward ending our dependence on foreign adversaries by passing my legislation to recover critical minerals from contaminated sites and waste streams. The "Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative (EMRTAI) Authorization Act", co-led by Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01), would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to broaden and authorize the EMRTAI program to identify, evaluate, and support the recovery of critical minerals from contaminated land and waste streams, strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains while advancing cleanup efforts.

Strengthening America’s critical mineral supply chain is essential to our economic and national security. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to encourage innovation and support domestic critical minerals development while advancing technologies that clean up contaminated sites. Read more about the EMRTAI Authorization Act here or by clicking on the image below.

Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act

Big Bend National Park is one of the greatest treasures of Texas and means a great deal to people across our state. For generations, the Fulcher Family has owned land adjacent to Big Bend National Park. Their wish is for this land to ultimately become part of the park and be protected alongside the surrounding landscape.

That is why I am proud to lead the Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act. This legislation would allow approximately 6,100 acres of land to be donated or exchanged to the National Park Service and added to Big Bend National Park, helping fulfill the Fulcher family’s longstanding wish for this land to be protected. The legislation represents years of work by Texas landowners, the Big Bend Conservancy, private partners, local stakeholders, and the State of Texas. 

I'm proud to support this effort and see it advance in the House Committee on Natural Resources this week. Watch my remarks in support of the legislation here or by clicking on the image below.

I&A Mission Reorientation Act Passes the U.S. House of Representatives

My third bill to pass the U.S. House of Representatives this week was the I&A Mission Reorientation Act. This legislation would update I&A’s statutory responsibility to clearly define its focus, reinforce accountability, and improve operational effectiveness. The legislation would strengthen information sharing with state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners.

As the threats to our homeland evolve, it is critical that our intelligence posture keeps pace. The I&A Mission Reorientation Act would refocus DHS's Office of Intelligence on its core mission of delivering timely, actionable intelligence to state and local partners on the front lines. Watch my remarks in support of the legislation here or by clicking the image below.

Meeting with Texans in Washington

This week, I also had the pleasure of meeting with several Texas community leaders and partners in Washington. Thank you all for taking the time to discuss how we can implement smart, commonsense policies to strengthen Texas-11 together.

Applications Closing Soon for the Congressional Youth Advisory Council

I am excited to announce the relaunch of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council for high school juniors and seniors in the 11th Congressional District of Texas. This esteemed program offers a unique opportunity for passionate and driven young leaders to engage with government, collaborate with peers, and serve their communities.

Participants will have the chance to interact directly with myself, special guests, and senior staff members in up to four interactive virtual meetings.

Additionally, CYAC participants will be provided special admittance to the Pfluger Youth Leadership Conference in Spring 2027 (Date TBD).

Interested students are encouraged to apply by completing an application at pfluger.house.gov/services/cyac.htm.

The deadline for submissions is September 21, 2026.

For questions about the program or application, please contact Corbette Padilla in the Midland district office at 432-687-2390.

ICYMI: Kimble, Mason, and Menard Counties Added to FEMA Major Disaster Declaration

I'm grateful that Kimble, Mason, and Menard counties have been added to President Trump's Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance. These communities have faced difficult challenges from recent flooding, and I've heard directly from local leaders about the impact on their communities. This designation gives local governments the federal resources they need to repair public infrastructure and support their communities' recovery.

If you are an agricultural producer in Kimble or Menard Counties and suffered damages such as livestock loss or infrastructure loss, you are eligible for USDA Disaster Assistance. Please visit USDA's website at farmers.gov to learn more.

My team and I have been in close contact with county officials since the flooding began, working to ensure they received the resources they need. I'm always proud to be a Texan—especially in moments like this, when I see our community come together when it matters most. Read FEMA's official announcement here.

Applications Open for 2026 Congressional App Challenge

My office is accepting submissions for the 2026 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 26, 2026, to submit their app. Information on the Congressional App Challenge, including how to apply, can be found on our 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

• There are no limits to what students can create. Apps can be coded in any language, for any platform, using any tools.
• The competition is open to students in middle and high school.
• 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 k[email protected]

ICYMI: New World Screwworm Free Educational Course

I am continuing to address the confirmed cases of the New World Screwworm (NWS) across Texas. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Texas have taken immediate action to eradicate this threat to livestock and the American food supply. 

As part of these eradication efforts, my office is coordinating with the USDA and local ranchers to ensure that sterile flies are being deployed across affected areas; a proven method for eliminating NWS populations at the source. My office and I will remain in close contact with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and the USDA as we work together to eradicate this parasite.

Governor Greg Abbott has launched a free, online educational course for Texans to learn more about NWS. If interested, you can access and take the course here.

If you see signs of maggot infestation in live or recently dead wild animals, please call 866-4USDA-WS (866-487-3297) to report it to your local USDA Wildlife Services office. If you are a rancher, please continue to monitor your livestock and report any unusual findings to USDA. For official updates, please visit screwworm.gov.

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.