Pfluger: Leading the Charge on Permitting Reform

Denouncing the Alarming Rise in Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers, Introducting the ANCHOR Act

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – American companies are being unfairly penalized for pollution originating outside the United States. We’ve seen how even the mention of a nonattainment designation, like when the Biden EPA threatened to redesignate the Permian Basin, can create significant uncertainty for businesses and communities. These designations delay permits and hurt economic growth, while failing to address the very problem they are trying to solve.

This is why I introduced the Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) Act to ensure fair and consistent air quality designations by making clear that states will not be penalized for emissions outside U.S. borders. It will also protect producers from unnecessary compliance burdens caused by events beyond their control, such as wildfires or dust storms, while upholding environmental standards under the Clean Air Act. My bill restores commonsense, and I’m proud to lead it as another significant step in modernizing and strengthening America’s broken permitting system.

Read more about the FENCES Act in E&E News by Politico here.

Denouncing the Alarming Rise in Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers
As Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee's Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee, I questioned witnesses on the rise of anti-police rhetoric. During the hearing, I thanked frontline officers for their unwavering commitment to protecting our communities, especially as they face a dangerous spike in threats in areas where local leaders openly undermine law enforcement.

Threats against law enforcement, ICE, and DHS personnel are unacceptable and un-American. I recently introduced a resolution to condemn the rise of violent threats to our ICE agents and facilities, which can be read here. I will always stand up for law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect our communities.

Watch my full line of questioning here.

ANCHOR Act
This week, I introduced legislation alongside U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to give states new flexibility to improve access to care for Americans facing mental health and substance abuse crisises. The Access to New Community Health Opportunities and Recovery (ANCHOR) Act creates a new state plan amendment that will allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to uninsured individuals up to 100% of the Federal Poverty Line who are struggling with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or opioid and stimulant use disorders. 

Many Americans living with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders often lack the ability to secure the care they desperately need. When treatment is out of reach for these individuals, it creates public safety challenges and strains our emergency rooms, law enforcement personnel, and social services. I am proud to lead this legislation with Senator Blackburn to ensure that states can provide these patients with the essential, lifesaving mental health care they deserve.

Read more about the ANCHOR Act in San Angelo LIVE here.