Welcome back to the Pfluger Fly-By, a weekly roundup of the work I am doing to represent you and our communities in Congress.
It is incredibly disappointing that we have reached day thirty-five of the Democrat shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Over 100,000 DHS workers missed their full paychecks last week, and American travelers are also being negatively impacted. I have called on my Democrat colleagues to stop grandstanding and vote to fund DHS immediately.
This week, I also introduced bipartisan legislation to tackle the rise in nitazenes, pushed for strong U.S. telecommunications leadership, hosted House Agriculture Committee Chairman “GT” Thompson and API President and CEO Mike Sommers for the weekly RSC member meeting, and celebrated National Agriculture Week. 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,
DHS Shutdown Reaches 35th Day
It is incredibly disappointing that we are on day thirty-five of the Democrat shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Amid spring break travel, heightened national security events, severe storms, and more, keeping the DHS shutdown puts Americans in harm’s way. Over 100,000 DHS employees have yet to receive a paycheck since the shutdown, and some TSA Agents are reportedly sleeping in their vehicles and donating plasma to put food on their families’ tables. This is simply unacceptable.
Americans across the country are feeling the impact. I joined ‘John Bachman Now’ on Newsmax this week to call out my Democrat colleagues for keeping the DHS shutdown as Americans suffer the consequences. I also discussed why Senator Markwayne Mullin is the right person to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Watch our full conversation here or by clicking the image below.
Protecting Americans and Combating Deadly Nitazene
This week, I introduced the House version of Senator Schmitt’s DETECT Nitazenes Act to address the alarming rise in nitazenes, a new class of synthetic opioids that are stronger and deadlier than fentanyl. The bipartisan legislation would direct the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate to coordinate with the Drug Enforcement Administration to enhance technologies to detect illicit substances, particularly nitazenes, at extremely low concentrations.
Nitazenes are an emerging class of illicit drugs that pose a serious threat to Americans’ health and safety. Yet, today, these deadly drugs have not received the level of attention necessary to combat them. The DETECT Nitazenes Act will close critical gaps in detection capabilities, support law enforcement efforts, and improve public safety outcomes by enabling faster and more accurate identification of these deadly substances. As the risk from synthetic drugs continues to evolve, this legislation ensures that we remain prepared to respond to the next generation of deadly narcotics and protect our communities.
Read more about the legislation in The Blaze here or by clicking the image below.
Pushing for Strong U.S. Leadership in Global Communications
During a House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing, I underscored the urgent need for the United States to lead in global telecommunications standards to counter the growing influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). I also raised concerns about China’s expanding role in international communications governance as it plans to host the 2027 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-27).
As China is actively working to undermine U.S. interests at every turn, allowing them to host this global telecommunications event without strong global cooperation and preparedness would be a national security disaster. We must ensure the United States remains competitive and protects its national security interests in these critical arenas.
Watch my full line of questioning here or by clicking the image below.
RSC Member Meeting
I was grateful to host House Agriculture Committee Chairman “GT” Thompson (PA-15) at this week’s Republican Study Committee (RSC) member meeting for an update on the 2026 Farm Bill. House Republicans are united in passing a new Farm Bill to support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the country. Last year, I was grateful to host Chairman Thompson in TX-11 to see our community’s needs firsthand, and I thank him for coming to RSC this week as we put those priorities into action.
We were also pleased to welcome American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers, who offered members a firsthand look at the current state of global energy markets. I thank Mike for addressing the RSC and describing how the pro-energy policies of the Trump administration are impacting American energy production.
National Agriculture Week
As we close out National Agriculture Week, I remain thankful to the farmers and ranchers of Texas-11 who work tirelessly to feed, clothe, and fuel our country. Agriculture is much more than an industry in our community. It is a way of life. Agricultural producers deserve leaders in Washington who fight for them every single day. I remain committed to delivering a strong 2026 Farm Bill that gives our agricultural community the certainty and support they need to plan for the future. It is an honor to represent so many hardworking families who embody the best of Texas agriculture.
Meeting with Texans in Washington
This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with several Texas community leaders and partners in Washington. Thank you all for taking the time to discuss how we can implement smart, commonsense policies to strengthen Texas-11 together.
Serving Together As a Family
I was grateful to have one of my daughters join me while serving you in Washington this week. She is the best helper and was a fantastic addition in many meetings, committee hearings, and roundtables. Always love serving Texas-11 together as a family!
Service Academy Night in Llano
My office is 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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