Pfluger: DHS Shutdown Reaches 42nd Day

My Defending American Property Abroad Act Passes the U.S. House

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, I questioned witnesses during a full committee hearing this week on the real-world impacts of the Democrats' shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including its agencies, missions, and workforce. During the hearing, I also called out my Democrat colleagues for their repeated failure to fund DHS and prioritize the security of the American people.

The consequences are clear: frontline personnel are facing overwhelming operational strain due to repeated failures to fund DHS. As thousands of Americans wait in endless airport lines and threats to our homeland are heightened, this must end. I remain committed to funding DHS and ensuring these individuals have the resources, support, and pay they deserve.

Following the hearing, I joined The Hugh Hewitt Show to discuss these challenges and the path forward. Watch the interview here.

My Defending American Property Abroad Act Passes the U.S. House
Today's House passage of my bipartisan legislation, the Defending American Property Abroad Act, was a necessary step in protecting American businesses and workers from unfair treatment overseas. When countries violate trade agreements and illegally seize assets from U.S. companies, it puts American job security, economic security, and national security at risk. This legislation is critical because it ensures there are enforceable consequences for those actions. 

The Defending American Property Abroad Act sends a clear message to any foreign government that the United States will not tolerate this behavior and that we will defend our economic interests, uphold the rule of law, and stand firmly behind American companies operating abroad. I am thrilled to see this pass with overwhelming bipartisan support, and I will continue advocating for it until it passes through the Senate and is signed into law.

Watch my full remarks in support of the legislation here.

Mystic Alerts Act Advances out of Energy & Commerce Committee
When disaster strikes, communication infrastructure is often the first thing to fail, especially in rural areas. After the devastating floods of July 4th in Central and West Texas, we must ensure every American receives life-saving emergency alerts when it matters most.

I am grateful that my Mystic Alerts Act passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee this week with unanimous, bipartisan support. This legislation is personal to me, and its passage is critical to integrate satellite networks into wireless emergency alert processes to ensure we are better prepared for the next emergency.

Watch my full remarks in support of the Mystic Alerts Act here.

Safeguarding the Arctic from Foreign Adversaries
As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, I sounded the alarm during a hearing this week on security threats the U.S. is currently facing in the Arctic. Russia and China are working to expand their Arctic foothold to shift the global balance of power. This poses a significant threat to American and international security.

That's why I called for sustained investment in polar-capable ships and aircraft, strong protection of undersea cable infrastructure, and greater use of space-based assets to fill critical gaps. We must keep the Arctic secure before any other adversarial nations seize control of the region.

Watch my full opening remarks here.