Pfluger Statement on Biden-Putin Summit
Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) released a statement following President Biden’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva:
“I am encouraged that President Biden heeded our calls to raise the heartbreaking imprisonment of Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan up to Vladimir Putin today (June 17th). However, President Biden must follow through on this discussion and bring Trevor and Paul home. We cannot rest until they are reunited safely with their families on American soil.
“President Biden also spoke of imposing consequences on Russia for their malign actions and human rights abuses, but his actions following Russia’s recent aggressions have been anything but strong. In the first few months of his presidency, President Biden has already extended the disastrous New START nuclear arms treaty, handed Russia dominance over the global energy market by greenlighting the Nord Stream II pipeline, and is allowing Russia to harbor cybercriminal groups attacking critical American agriculture and energy infrastructure.
“If President Biden is to counter Putin’s hostility, he must make it clear to Vladimir Putin that the United States will not compromise on our values or interests, and we will hold them accountable.”
Pfluger Votes Against Harmful Disclosure Mandates
Tonight (June 16th), Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) released a statement after voting no on H.R. 1187, the ESG Disclosure Simplification Act of 2021, a democrat proposal that will politicize the Securities and Exchange Commission, mandate futile disclosures, and harm the oil and gas industry:
“Tonight, Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats voted to advance legislation that will impose confusing and needless requirements on American businesses and limit investment opportunities. Federal legisla tion mandating irrelevant ESG (environmental, social, and governance) metrics is another attempt by Democrats to push a radical climate agenda that will harm our economy and jeopardize our energy independence. Companies in the 11th District are already prioritizing ESG efforts. We do not need Speaker Pelosi telling Texans how to run their businesses. Congress should be passing pro-business, common-sense policies to rebuild our economy, not cripple our industries.”
Reps. Pfluger and Stevens Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging President Biden to Address the Detention of U.S. Marine Veterans Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan.
Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) joined with Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in leading a bipartisan, bicameral letter with nearly 50 Members of the House and Senate calling on President Biden to address the arrest and subsequent detentions of U.S. Marine Veterans Trevor Reed of Texas and Paul Whelan of Michigan when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, June 16th. Cosigners include Senator John Cornyn, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, and dozens of other lawmakers.
“Trevor Reed was arrested following an altercation with Moscow police in 2019 and accused of endangering the lives of the police officers. During his trial, Mr. Reed’s defense lawyers were repeatedly denied access to additional video evidence that would have proved his innocence,” said Rep. Pfluger (TX-11). “The case presented against Mr. Reed was so ridiculous it evoked laughter throughout the courtroom including the judge. U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan called his trial a ‘theater of the absurd’ and ‘justice was not even considered’ in the case. Mr. Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison camp. The U.S. Embassy in Russia recently issued a statement expressing concern for the health of Mr. Reed, who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19, and who has been cut off from communication with his parents and diplomats for over two weeks. We are deeply concerned for the health of Mr. Reed and while we applaud the State Department’s responsiveness, mere statements are not enough.”
“Paul Whelan was arrested in December 2018 and falsely charged with espionage,” said Rep. Stevens (MI-11). “Throughout Mr. Whelan’s detention, the Russian government has repeatedly violated his rights, denied him proper medical care, and refused to provide any evidence to substantiate the charges against him. He was held in pre-trial detention for over 18 months in the notorious Lefortovo prison. Then Mr. Whelan’s trial was held behind closed doors and his defense was prohibited from calling witnesses. Mr. Whelan now serves a 16-year sentence of hard labor. June 16 will mark the 900th day of Mr. Whelan’s unjust detention. Enough is enough. I urge President Biden to advocate on behalf of my constituent and his family. It is time to bring Paul home.”
On March 3, 2021, Rep. Pfluger introduced a resolution with Rep. Michael McCaul, the Lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, and a bipartisan group of over 50 other House Members condemning the practice of politically-motivated imprisonment in the Russian Federation, and calling upon the Government of the Russian Federation to immediately release Trevor Reed. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Texas Senator John Cornyn.
Read the full letter at: https:// pfluger.house.gov/sites/evosubsites/pfluger.house.gov/ files/evo-media-document/ Biden-Putin%20Summit%20 Letter%20Final%20w%20Signatures%20061521.pdf