Congressman August Pfluger has learned during 26 town hall meetings and similar events this year that the voters in his far-flung 11th Congressional District see a big inequity in the U.S. Justice Department’s handling of accusations against former President Trump and President Biden’s son Hunter.
“The people are extremely angry that the Justice Department picks and chooses who to investigate and indict and who not to,” said Pfluger, who represents Ector County. “They want to see justice applied evenly and not be based on political affiliation.”
The San Angelo Republican said he referred to Trump’s federal indictment for alleged actions following the 2020 election and the Justice Department’s reluctance to act on Hunter Biden’s influence-peddling in foreign countries.
“The people are very happy to hear about the work we have done and the oversight hearings we’ve held to uncover the facts surrounding the Biden family’s taking millions of dollars from China,” he said. “Congressional Republicans have held 559 oversight hearings this year, which is an incredibly high number, to tell the truth and be transparent.”
Pfluger said voters are also disturbed about the numbers of illegal immigrants who are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and about the regulatory actions that the Biden administration has been taking to cripple the energy industry.
He said his constituents “are very appreciative of oil and gas” even in counties that have none and that they support the legislation he has filed to keep the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from shutting down production here on the bases of false claims of air pollution and endangered species.
Pfluger recently co-sponsored the REINS Act of 2023 to require that any major rule that would have an annual effect on the American economy of $100 million or more be subject to congressional approval, which would keep federal regulators from scuttling the energy industry in the Permian Basin.
Noting that the REINS Act passed the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives in Washington June 14, he said, “This is a broader budget initiative, but government spending impacts every business in the nation.
“Everyone knows that Washington has a spending problem. Republicans and Democrats alike must recognize this fact. This legislation is essential to rein in federal spending so that the American people are not constantly footing the bill for administrative actions.
“People are passionately and fervently worried about the state of this country,” Pfluger said, adding that his work as a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security has heightened his concern about the activities of the Chinese Community Party here.
“The Biden administration has been allowing the Chinese to purchase land in the United States and they have bought a lot near military facilities,” Pfluger said. “They’ve bought land near Laughlin Air Force Base at Del Rio.”
He held a meet and greet in Killeen Jan. 19, a swearing-in ceremony for the 118th Congress in Midland Jan. 23, an open house in San Angelo Feb. 14, town halls in Menard and Junction March 3, Winters and Bronte March 6, Sterling City and Mertzon April 3 and Goldthwaite and Brownwood April 5, open houses in Killeen April 24 and Odessa May 1, town halls in Eden June 9 and Midland June 26, “Coffee with the Congressman” in Odessa June 27, a town hall in Llano June 29, a coffee in Horseshoe Bay June 30, town halls in Garden City Aug. 2, Brady, Mason and San Saba Aug. 3, Coleman Aug. 4 and Killeen Aug.15 and a coffee in Harker Heights Aug. 16. Harker Heights is near Killeen in Bell County.
