President Biden traveled to Brownsville to visit the southern border yesterday. Since taking office, over 9 million migrants have entered our country illegally. The Brownsville sector is one of the few points on the southern border that has low record numbers of encounters. This trip was simply a photo opportunity for President Biden.
An open border has led to crime and tragedy across the country. Just last week, a 22-year-old woman in Georgia was killed by an illegal alien who entered into the United States illegally. Criminals and cartels are taking advantage of an open border, with no consequences for their actions. This crisis must end.
Now in an election year, the President is trying to gather votes with a trip to the border. Americans deserve accountability for the crisis at the southern border. The President should reverse his many executive actions that sparked the border crisis. This trip is far too late.
Texas Has the Right to Defend Its Border
I am proud to have co-authored the CONTAINER Act, which gives states the authority to build temporary barriers on federal land to stop illegal migrants and other deadly substances from entering the United States. For far too long, Texas has faced the brunt of the border crisis, and we have the right to secure our state by any means necessary. Border security will always be national security. I will continue to advocate for strong border security measures in Washington. Read more in Fox Newshere.
Midland Town Hall
It was a pleasure to host a Town Hall in Midland this week. I honored Shreeya Sivakumar during the Town Hall for winning the 37th Annual Reporter-Telegram Regional Spelling Bee for the second time. She will have the opportunity to advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. Congratulations Shreeya!
President Biden’s LNG Export Ban Threatens U.S. Energy Security
I co-authored an op-ed in the Washington Examiner with Congressman Rick Allen over President Biden’s Liquified Natural Gas export ban. American energy is the cleanest, most secure option for the U.S. The decision to ban LNG exports jeopardizes our national security, plus our allies. Energy security is national security. Read the piece here or below.
Collin Sewell: Odessa Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year
Collin Sewell’s leadership and service have left an indelible mark on the Odessa community, Permian Basin, and the entire State of Texas. Collin embodies the values of integrity, humility, gratitude, boldness, and a commitment to honoring God.
As a philanthropist and the leader of the over 650-person team at the Sewell Family of Companies, he has truly made Odessa a better place to live and raise a family.
It was an honor to celebrate his achievements and contributions to our community. Congratulations on being named the 2024 Citizen of the Year by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce!
2024 Pfluger Student Leadership Conference
I had a blast hosting the Second Annual Pfluger Student Leadership Conference in Midland with 80 awesome high school students from around Texas-11. Thank you to our wonderful speakers: Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett, Midland High Coach Thad Fortune, Dr. Kathy Crockett, and our college student panel for lending your expertise with the group.
Combating Transnational Repression
I proudly unveiled the Combating Transnational Repression Act of 2024, a groundbreaking legislative initiative aimed at addressing the growing threat of transnational repression, including against U.S. citizens, on American soil.
Transnational repression, the act of foreign governments or their proxies targeting individuals in another country using various coercive tactics, has become an increasingly concerning issue in the United States. As Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security Counterterrorism Subcommittee, I have conducted extensive hearings to explore this threat and have heard testimonies from victims like Dr. Bob Fu of Midland, Enes Kanter Freedom, and others who have experienced egregious targeting on U.S. soil for their criticism of authoritarian regimes.
This bill authorizes the establishment of a dedicated Transnational Repression Office within the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This office will be tasked with analyzing and monitoring transnational repression and related terrorism threats within the United States and abroad.
My legislation is a crucial step in protecting the sovereignty of our nation and ensuring the safety and rights of those targeted by foreign governments. It sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate such attacks on our soil.
2024 Congressional Art Competition
My office is now accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. The competition is open to all 7-12 grade students in the 11th Congressional District of Texas and is an opportunity for local artists to be recognized for their talents among artists from around the Nation.
The deadline is April 29th, 2024. Students can register and upload images of their artwork on Congressman Pfluger’s website at: tinyurl.com/TX11Art.
Students are highly encouraged to review the competition’s complete rules and regulations on my website. For more information, please visit tinyurl.com/TX11Art, or contact Cayssia David in the Killeen Office at [email protected].gov.
Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily updates.
