Pfluger Speaks Up for Second Amendment Rights
On March 10th, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) spoke on the House Floor during debate on H.R. 8, the so-called Bipartisan Background Checks Act.
“Madam Speaker,
“I rise today as a Texan and constitutional conservative in strong opposition not only to the amendments, but to H.R. 8, a bill that would impose so-called “universal” background checks and gut the Second Amendment Rights of law-abiding gun owners throughout this country.
“We all mourn the loss of innocent lives from gun violence that has happened in my district and those around the country. No family should ever have to endure such tragic and unnecessary loss.
“But the truth is that this legislation does nothing to address the root causes of gun violence and may do little to actually prevent criminals from obtaining guns as has previously been said during this debate.
“What will be prevented though?
“Your ability to loan your neighbor a firearm if there are reports of break-ins, the ability of your suicidal friend or family member to ask you to remove their firearms from their home, or if a colleague comes to you and says that they are trapped in an abusive relationship and scared for their life, you could face a $100,000 [fine] or prison time for lending out your gun for self-defense.
“If we are going to affect real change, we don’t need to tack additional restrictions on law-abiding citizens, we need to look at the root causes and have a transparent and open debate here to talk about mental health and the proper enforcement of the laws we already have.
“This is yet another example of federal overreach, another example of the erosion of our rights, and a slippery slope that will strip all Americans of our Second Amendment Rights as outlined in the Constitution.
“I urge my colleagues to vote no on the amendment and the bill.
“And with that, I yield back.”
Pfluger Calls for Relief for Texas Farmers
On March 11th, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) joined Representatives Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and 11 other members of the Texas delegation in introducing legislation that directs relief towards farmers who have faced damages from natural disasters. H.R. 1692, the RESTORE (Rehabilitating Economic Success Through Overcoming Rural Emergencies) Act, works by reauthorizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) to include natural disasters from 2020 and 2021. Currently, the program only covers disasters from 2018 and 2019.
Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11): “Agricultural producers are the bedrock of this country. Texas farmers were already hit hard from the effects of COVID-19 and hurricanes in South Texas, and last month’s extreme freeze set them back even farther. These combined factors make it extremely difficult for producers to continue feeding and clothing our citizens. I am proud to join my Texas colleagues in advocating for swift relief for our Texas farmers.”
Pfluger Demands Answers from HHS for Unaccompanied Migrant Children in Midland
On March 14th, Congressman August Pfluger released a statement in response to the decision of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to house unaccompanied migrant children in an Emergency Intake Site in Midland, Texas, due to overcrowding at Border Stations:
Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11): “The Biden Administration’s lack of communication, coordination, and notification of their plans to place unaccompanied migrant children in Midland without consent of state and local government officials is completely unacceptable, and I am demanding immediate answers from both HHS and the Biden Administration.
“Our border is in crisis. President Biden’s rhetoric and policies are undeniably incentivizing illegal mass migration. His refusal to acknowledge and properly respond to the crisis is overwhelming border states like Texas and putting the interior of the U.S. at even more risk of human trafficking as well as drug cartel and gang-related crimes.
“President Biden must immediately reverse his rhetoric and damaging policies and work together with Republicans to reinstate strong border security measures. I am on my way to El Paso today to meet with Border Patrol and get an on-the-ground update of the situation and learn exactly what they need to secure our border.”
Pfluger After Border Trip: Biden Border Crisis is “Heartbreaking”
On March 15th, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) traveled to the southern border in El Paso, Texas, with Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member John Katko, and other Members of Congress.
The congressional delegation toured the El Paso Processing Center, a 98,000 sq. ft. facility equipped to handle over 1,040 migrants at a time. Today, the facility exceeded capacity for the first time. After the tour of the processing center, Congressman Pfluger met with Border Patrol agents and surveyed vulnerable points along the border. Following his visit, Congressman Pfluger traveled back to Midland to visit the Emergency Intake Site in Midland where the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is housing over 700 unaccompanied migrant children due to overcrowding at the border facility. Congressman Pfluger released a statement following the events of the day:
Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11): “President Biden’s dangerous immigration policies and senseless rhetoric have triggered a massive surge in illegal migration. Our border patrol facilities and officers lack the capacity and resources to handle the influx of illegal crossings, and facilities have become so overwhelmed that the Biden Administration has begun busing migrants away from the border to holding sites in the interior of the U.S., including one in Midland County, which was set up without proper notification given to myself or other state and local officials. “It is heartbreaking to see this
“It is heartbreaking to see this crisis unfold. The Midland community deserves action and answers from the Biden Administration. We are outraged by the decision to unexpectedly move migrants into the county without proper consultation and explanation. I have nothing but compassion for the children who are being exploited by coyotes and cartel traffickers emboldened by President Biden and his ‘openborder’ policies.
“I am calling on President Biden to immediately reverse his damaging rhetoric and policies and provide border patrol officials with the tools and resources they need to handle it.”