January 22, 2021
Standing up for Conservative Values Under the Biden Administration
On Wednesday, I sat in the crowd at the 59th Presidential Inauguration. It was an absolute honor to represent the people of the 11th District of Texas among the leaders of our Republic as we exercised the central tenant of our form of government: the peaceful transition of power.
I also had the opportunity to meet with some of the brave National Guard service members, including many Texans, who have been working tirelessly to ensuring safety and security at our Capitol over the last two weeks.
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In his inaugural address, President Biden spoke a message of unity and working across party lines, yet his day one actions signal the exact opposite.
Already, his administration has launched an all-out assault on American energy—the very source that heats our homes, powers our industries, and makes our military the strongest in the world.
With the stroke of a pen, the President signed 17 executive actions instantly killing up to 14,000 Keystone XL pipeline jobs, re-shackling our country in the Paris Climate Accord, and halting the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. These actions do not help American citizens—they help foreign citizens.
Notably, he also followed through on banning new leases for oil, gas, and coal production on federal lands and waters - threatening over 10% of our nation's energy production. This is gross executive overreach and exactly why I introduced the Saving America’s Energy Future Act during my first week in Congress. Our nation is struggling. We need energy and jobs, not pandering and politics. President Biden must immediately halt this unscientific and illogical assault on American energy.
I will not be railroaded by destructive policies coming out of this administration—I will stand up for conservative values and for the people of District 11 through my voice, my vote, and legislation. In the meantime, I am calling on my Democrat counterparts to live up to their calls for unity and step away from the extreme rhetoric we have seen over the last four years to censor conservative voices and silence the 74 million people who dissent to liberalism.
Read on to see some of the work I have been doing in Congress on your behalf:
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Working to Block President Biden from Rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement
Yesterday, I supported two bills and a resolution to prevent President Biden from forcing the United States to rejoin the ruinous Paris Climate Agreement. President Trump was right to remove the United States from this quasi-treaty that shackles our country with job-killing regulations that cost American taxpayers trillions of dollars and imperil our national security.
With no mechanism to hold China and India—the two largest global polluters—accountable, the Paris Climate Agreement does nothing to save or clean up the planet.
Thanks to fracking and natural gas, the United States is already outperforming other major nations in reducing carbon emissions. Since President Trump withdrew our country from the accord in 2017, America has reached energy independence for the first time in decades while simultaneously bringing CO2 emissions to an all-time low—proving that we must let innovation and common-sense lead, not wrongheaded ideologies.
Read more about the legislation I helped introduce to block funding for the implementation of President Biden’s executive order and prevent any further action here.
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Sent a Letter Urging President Biden to Reconsider Canceling Keystone XL Pipeline
On President Biden’s first day in office, I sent him a letter urging reconsideration of his decision to halt the Keystone XL Pipeline. Coming off an unprecedented health and economic crisis, I believe canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline will have a negative effect on American families, our environment, and our relationship with Canada—our oldest and strongest ally.
Now more than ever, we need jobs and low-cost energy; the Keystone XL Pipeline was set up to provide both. The project was estimated to bring 14,000 well-paying jobs to Americans and keep the transport of energy at a low-cost, the same energy that powers our homes, cars, schools, churches, and businesses.
This project has undergone numerous studies and is deemed environmentally safe by experts. The U.S. has the highest environmental regulations in the world. I fear pulling the plug will open the door to hostile nations who do not operate under the same scrutinized standards as we do. This project is a partnership with Canada that has been years in the making and provides many benefits to both nations.
Read my letter to the President below. The text of the letter is also linked here.
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Other Important Legislation
I supported numerous other bills this week furthering the best interests of the 11th District and our Nation:
Sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy (TX)
This bill ensures no taxpayer funds may be used for the purpose of reentering the Paris Climate Accords.
Sponsored by Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO)
This legislation requires the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate before spending any taxpayer dollars to carry out the goals and ratification of the Paris Agreement.
Sponsored by Rep. David McKinley (WV)
This resolution requires that the U.S. Senate renegotiate and ratify the Paris Agreement before it takes effect in the United States. In its current state, the agreement fails to hold two of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases,
China and India, to the same standard as the United States. This resolution specifically calls for the Senate to ensure that China and India reduce their emission standard at pace equivalent to the U.S., European Union, and other advanced nations.
Sponsored by Rep. French Hill (AK) and Ed Perlmutter (CO)
This resolution honors the bravery and sacrifice by officers of the United States Capitol Police and other law enforcement following the January 6 breach of the Capitol. The resolution salutes the devotion to duty displayed by U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who tragically died from injuries sustained during the attack, and U.S. Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood who died while off-duty after the attack.
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Commemorating National Sanctity of Life Day
President Trump declared January 22, the 48th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, National Sanctity of Human Life Day. As a dad to three wonderful daughters, it is with great sadness that I reflect on the lives our country has lost since that fateful decision. Every unborn child should have the right to life, and I pledge to be a voice for the voiceless as I stand for life in Congress.
Read about the pro-life bills I have supported so far here.
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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.
Sincerely,
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Rep. August Pfluger
Member of Congress
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