By Cong. August Pfluger
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Texas Insider Report) — In Congress, I am committed to ensuring that our government fulfills its duty to provide the support and care that veterans deserve. Whether it be improving healthcare services, expanding educational opportunities, or securing employment resources, I'll continue to advocate for policies that honor your service and address the unique challenges faced by our Veteran Community.
This day is not just a date on the calendar; it is a moment for our entire nation to come together and recognize the incredible contributions of our veterans. Veterans Day is to not only reflect on the sacrifices made in the past, but also to recommit ourselves to supporting our veterans in the present and future.
If you are a veteran or know one who is having trouble accessing their benefits or care, please reach out to my office or fill out a casework request here.
Expelling Hamas-Supporting Visa Holders from the United States
I introduced The Terrorist Inadmissibility Act to expel Hamas supporters with visas from the United States. This bill would expand current U.S. law to prohibit members, officers, officials, representatives, and spokesmen of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Palestine Islamic Jihad from entering or remaining in the U.S. The bill would also apply to aliens who endorse or espouse terrorist activities conducted by any of these U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).
It is appalling to see thousands of people across the United States openly supporting the same Hamas terrorists who waged a brutal war on Israeli citizens. I am proud to lead legislation with Senator Rubio to ensure that no person who supports terrorism or who has connections to terrorist affiliates is granted entry into the United States. President Biden must take immediate action to ensure our borders are secure from those wishing harm against Americans.
Restoring Domestic Energy Dominance & Production
I joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing the Alaska's Right to Produce Act of 2023. This bill will reverse the Biden Department of the Interior (DOI)'s decision to prohibit oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). It would also reinstate leases that DOI has canceled within the non-wilderness Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
President Biden’s decision to block American energy producers from utilizing nearly 40% of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a continuation of his war on fossil fuels. Not only will this decision destroy the livelihoods of thousands of energy workers, but it will drive up costs for all Americans.
Energy security is national security, and we should produce our energy here in the United States.
One Month of Fighting in the Middle East
This week marks one month since the brutal attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists. I hosted a bipartisan roundtable on the Israel-Hamas War to get an update on the conflict from:
- the Jewish Institute for National Security of America
- the Foundation for Defense Democracies, and
- the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
Blocking the Chinese Communist Party's Influence on College Campuses
As Homeland Security Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement & Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman, I introduced the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, which passed out of committee markup this week.
This is a straightforward bill that ensures universities that take money or have a relationship with the Chinese Communist Party do not get access to national security-related research or taxpayer resources. This legislation prevents Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds from flowing to American universities that host a Confucius Institute or maintain a relationship with a Chinese entity of concern. We must draw a line in the sand — either you support national security, or you do not.
Biden Family Subpoenaed by Congress
The Committee on Oversight & Accountability has issued subpoenas to Hunter Biden, James Biden, Rob Walker, and other Biden family members and associates. This is a huge break in the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and the alleged influence-peddling scheme of his family. I thank Chairman James Comer for his work on this investigation and for getting answers for the American people.
- Read more about the subpoenas here.
Congressman August Pfluger represents a total of 29 Counties in Texas’ 11th Congressional District – which also includes the cities of San Angelo, Llano, Brownwood, Granbury, Midland, Odessa, and much of the top Oil & Gas Producing Region in America, West Texas' Permian Basin.
