Welcome back to the Pfluger Fly-By, a weekly roundup of the work I am doing to represent you and our communities in Congress.
This week, I penned an op-ed in the Washington Post on the future of our Air Force, introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the partnership between the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement, and led several of my colleagues in a letter urging strong U.S. oversight on Lukoil’s international asset divestment to ensure its assets are not recycled right back into Moscow’s control and that American energy companies continue to lead the way. I also attended the House Republican Policy Retreat, welcomed Erika Kirk to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, and joined the KWEL Morning Show hosted by Craig Anderson.
My office also has several incredible learning opportunities for students, including an upcoming Service Academy Night in Llano and the 2026 Congressional Art Competition.
Below, you’ll find a few highlights from the week, including pictures, in-depth updates, and information on how my office can help you with any federal concerns. As always, my team and I are here to serve you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance.
Best,
Retirement from the U.S. Air Force
I officially retired as a Colonel from the United States Air Force on February 1, 2026, after nearly 26 years of service to our nation.
I graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2000 and spent the next two decades flying F-15C and F-22 Raptor, including many combat missions in the Middle East. I had the honor of flying some of America’s most advanced aircraft and the privilege of helping defend the freedoms we cherish. In 2020, I joined the Air Force Reserve and proudly served in this capacity until my retirement this year.
While my time in uniform has come to a close, my commitment to our military and national security remains as strong as ever. I will continue serving our brave men and women in uniform as one of the 17 Air Force veterans currently in Congress. I will also continue as Chairman of the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, where I remain focused on strengthening the Academy and helping develop the next generation of American leaders.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support from my wife, Camille, and our three daughters. Their love and sacrifice made my service possible, and I am immensely grateful for them every single day.
I also want to thank the people of Texas’s 11th Congressional District. It is an honor to represent a community that so deeply understands the cost of service and the value of sacrifice. Thank you for trusting me to represent you in Washington. It remains one of the greatest honors of my life.
Reflecting on My Service
To reflect on my service in the U.S. Air Force, I penned an op-ed in the Washington Post this week warning that while our Air Force remains unmatched in capability, decades of underinvestment have stretched it dangerously thin at a critical geopolitical moment.
In the piece, I highlight that the Air Force currently operates with the oldest aircraft and smallest force in its history, and emphasize how the ongoing conflict in Iran will severely test and strain our aircraft availability and munitions stockpiles. I also offer my four solutions for how the United States must triage and refocus investments in American Airpower.
You can read the piece here or by clicking the image below.
House Republican Policy Retreat
This week, I had the pleasure of joining my colleagues at the annual House Republican Policy Retreat. This retreat was a critical opportunity to connect, strategize, and sharpen our focus on implementing our America First agenda for the remainder of the year. We heard powerful remarks from President Trump that reaffirmed our mission to keep delivering on the promises we made to the American people. House Republicans are united now more than ever!
Urging Lukoil to Permanently Sever Russian Ties
This week, I also led several of my colleagues in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent applauding his and the Trump Administration’s work to cut off Russian energy assets that help fund Moscow’s military and cyber aggression against Ukraine and U.S. allies. In the letter, we highlight the significant decline in Russia’s oil and gas reserves following the administration’s recent sanctions, but also emphasize that the U.S. must remain vigilant in the divestment process to ensure energy assets aren’t recycled back into Russia’s hands.
We also noted that the recent escalation in Iran and heightened instability across the Middle East further underscore the importance of ensuring American energy companies continue to lead the way. With global energy markets facing renewed volatility, we must prevent Russian-controlled assets from re-entering adversarial hands. Read more about the letter in Fox News here or by clicking the image below.
Welcoming Erika Kirk to the United States Air Force Academy Board of Visitors
I applaud President Trump for appointing Erika Kirk to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors this week. I encouraged this appointment as Erika is the right person to fill Charlie’s place on the Board and continue his work of inspiring the next generation of service members and advancing the Academy. I look forward to working alongside her to carry on Charlie’s legacy.
Push to Reimburse Local Law Enforcement for Secret Service Support
Local and state law enforcement officers are often called upon to support U.S. Secret Service operations that go well beyond their normal responsibilities. That’s why I introduced bipartisan legislation this week to strengthen the partnership between the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement.
The Secret Service-Local Law Enforcement Partnership Act of 2025 ensures that when these officers step up to support protective missions, they are fairly reimbursed for their time and resources. This commonsense legislation strengthens public safety, protects local taxpayer dollars, and reinforces the essential partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement. Read more about this legislation in CBS7 here or by clicking the image below.
KWEL Morning Show
I joined the KWEL Morning Show with Craig Anderson today to discuss updates in Congress and around the world. Listen to our full conversation here or by clicking the image below.
Service Academy Night in Llano
My office will be hosting a Service Academy Night in Llano for students, parents, and educators to learn about the opportunities for students to serve at a U.S. Service Academy.
In 1995, I sought a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Now, as a Member of Congress, I have the privilege of helping the next generation begin that same journey by nominating exceptional young men and women to our nation’s Service Academies.
If you are a student in Texas’s 11th Congressional District interested in seizing the opportunity to attend a U.S. Service Academy, I strongly encourage you to partake in my office’s upcoming Service Academy Night in Llano. If you are not able to attend, please don’t hesitate to contact my office or my Academy Liaison, Mary O’Connor, with any questions about the application process.
If you are unable to attend and are interested in applying to a U.S. Service Academy, you can watch a recording of a previous Service Academy Night here.
2026 Congressional Art Competition
Attention all parents, students, and teachers in TX-11! My office is now accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. This competition gives high school students from across Texas-11 the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building.
This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary,’ and students will have until April 13th, 2026, to submit their artwork. Information on the Congressional Art Competition, including how to apply, can be found on the Congressman’s website by clicking here.
Every year, I am completely blown away by the talent and creativity of so many incredible young artists throughout Texas-11 who participate in the Congressional Art Competition. This year’s theme gives students the opportunity to tell America’s story through their own creative lens. I am especially excited to see how students use their art to celebrate our nation’s history and express their patriotism. I am incredibly blessed to represent the 11th District and to support these remarkable young artists as they help commemorate this historic moment for our country.
RULES
Artwork must be two-dimensional and original in concept, design, and execution. Art must follow the theme of ‘Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary.’
The artwork’s dimensions can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:
Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastel, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
Collages: must be two-dimensional
Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
Computer-generated art
Photographs
Students are highly encouraged to review the competition’s complete rules and regulations on our congressional website. Please contact Carol Cunningham in the Llano District Office at carol.cunningham@mail.house.gov with any questions.
Second Lady Usha Vance Bookmark Design Contest for America 250
Last week, Second Lady Usha Vance announced the Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250th, an opportunity for students in grades Kindergarten-8th grade to design an original bookmark celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
As we celebrate America’s 250th Birthday this year, we have a powerful opportunity, and responsibility, to ignite a love of country in the next generation. America’s story is one of freedom and limitless possibility, and our students should feel proud to be part of it. This Bookmark Design Challenge invites young people to express their creativity and discover what patriotism means to them. I applaud Second Lady Vance for leading this effort to empower kids to honor our past while imagining America’s future, and I encourage every student in TX-11 to participate.
This challenge is open to students across the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories. Second Lady Usha Vance will select three national winners—one from each of the following categories:
K–2
Grades 3–5
Grades 6–8
Winning designs will be featured during commemorative activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, such as the Great American State Fair, the Second Lady’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, and other Office of the Second Lady and NEA events. Each winning student, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will also be invited to Washington, DC, in summer 2026 to participate in a series of celebratory events.
Applications must be submitted through the NEA’s website arts.gov/bookmarks before Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Please visit the NEA’s website for additional details, including full guidelines and FAQs. Questions about the Bookmark Design Challenge may be directed to bookmarks@arts.gov.
REMINDER: If you are in need of assistance with a federal agency, my office is here to help. For more information, please visit our website HERE.
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