Welcome back to the weekly Pfluger Fly-By, a collection of events and happenings to keep you updated on everything I am doing week by week to represent you in Congress. It was another exciting week as we prepare for President Trump’s return to the White House in just a few days. This week I had dinner with President Trump, received my committee assignments for the 119th Congress, voted to pass legislation to protect female athletes, and much more.
I have included some photos and highlights from this week for you. You can also find information on how my office can help you with any federal problems you may be having. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can ever be of assistance.
Best,
Dinner with President Trump & Lawmakers in Mar-a-Lago
I was honored to join President Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago for dinner this week, alongside several of my fellow colleagues, for an extremely productive time together. We are now only days away from President Trump’s inauguration, and I’m looking forward to working together to push his America First Agenda in Congress to lower inflation, unleash American energy, and close the southern border!
Op-Ed: The Pentagon Needs a New Kind of Leader
Ahead of Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing to be the next Secretary of Defense this week, I penned an op-ed in the Washington Examiner making the case for why Pete is the right man for the job.
I wrote in part, “At the hands of President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the nation has witnessed one foreign policy disaster after the next. The duo’s catastrophic decision-making and military execution has left Americans dead, our military vulnerable, and our adversaries emboldened. To right the ship and steer America back on course, the next defense secretary must be a new kind of leader, one that will restore a foreign policy strategy of deterrence and peace through strength. Army National Guard veteran Pete Hegseth is President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the job and the new kind of leader we need. It comes as no surprise, however, that as the Senate Armed Services Committee prepares for Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, Democrats are deploying their familiar playbook of objections. But their arguments ring hollow given the department’s track record under their watch.”
You can read the op-ed in its entirety here or by clicking the image below.
119th Congress Committee Assignments
I am honored to have been reappointed to continue serving on both the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, one of the oldest committees in Congress, as well as the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security where I will serve as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence for a second term.
Both of these committees will play a crucial role in crafting legislation to implement the America First Agenda that the American people resoundingly called for in November. I am committed to securing the border for all Texans, unleashing American energy in the Permian Basin, and lowering inflation for hardworking taxpayers. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and protect our Texas way of life in Congress.
Voting to Protect Female Athletes
I joined my colleagues on the House Floor in voting YES to help pass the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. This legislation prevents biological men from competing in women’s sports by reinforcing Title IX protections and defining standards for athletic competition by a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
Female athletes should never be subject to compete against biological men in sports, plain and simple. As a father of three girls who play sports, this issue is very personal to me. Like any parent, I desire to see my daughters succeed in their sports, to feel safe in their locker rooms and bathrooms, and to be protected by their educational institutions.
Please watch my full remarks given on the House Floor in support of this legislation here or through the link below.
Repealing the Natural Gas Tax
When President Biden’s Inflation ‘Expansion’ Act of 2022 was signed into law, it imposed a new natural gas tax on U.S. oil and gas companies that stifles American energy production. To strike this burdensome tax imposed by President Biden and ultimately lower costs for hardworking Americans, I joined Senator Cruz to reintroduce the Natural Gas Repeal Act.
Read more about the legislation in the Midland Reporter-Telegram here or below.
Israel and Hamas Reach Hostage Deal
This week, Israel and Hamas reached a deal to releases individuals who Hamas has held captive for over 15 months. Read my full statement on this deal below.
RSC Meeting with Stephen Miller
We were fortunate to be joined by Stephen Miller, President Trump’s incoming Deputy Chief of Staff and Head of Homeland Security Policy this week at the Republican Study Committee lunch.
For the past four years, Americans have witnessed a crisis at the southern border. RSC is ready to work tirelessly alongside the White House to deliver on the promises we made to the American people. I look forward to seeing President Trump return to the White House to reestablish rule of law and protect Americans.
In Memory of Ms. Ann
I am grieved by the passing of longtime Odessa resident and Chick-fil-A employee, Ms. Ann. I had the pleasure of getting to know Ms. Ann when we sat down for lunch together and I presented her with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of her service and passion to her community. Ms. Ann was a staple in Odessa, and we will miss her joyful presence and contagious smile in our community. She truly represented the ideals of what Texas-11 stands for.
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