August Pfluger

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I join in honoring the November 17, 2023 dedication of the new Texas Tech University Wall of Honor, Military & Veterans Tribute Walk at Pfluger Fountain. The names of Texas Tech alumni who fought in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraqi and Afghanistan Wars, and others, can now be found at the memorial. This powerful tribute encapsulates the unwavering commitment and sacrifices of our military service members and veterans. It stands as a testament to Texas Tech's commitment to honor and remember the generations of Texas Tech military service members and veterans who have served to protect and defend our freedom. As Texas Tech reaches its centennial milestone, I commend Texas Tech leadership, the Texas Tech Alumni Association, and the Texas Tech Military & Veterans Alumni Network for this heartfelt recognition of the veterans who have played an integral role in the 100-year history of the university. May this memorial serve as a perpetual reminder of the courage and selflessness embodied by our Texas Tech military and veterans.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I rise today to present an amendment that holds the key to accountability and transparency in the aftermath of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. The amendment I am proposing to the fiscal year 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill targets a critical issue within the National Institutes of Health, NIH, Office of the Director. Specifically, it aims to reduce funding by $3,748,715. That is an amount equivalent to the grant awarded to EcoHealth Alliance, Incorporated, for their research on ``Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence'' at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be overstated. Lives were lost, businesses shuttered, and families torn apart. It is a collective responsibility to address the origins of this crisis, and my proposed amendment aligns with three fundamental principles that I have consistently emphasized while being in Congress. First, we must uncover the truth of the pandemic's origins. This shouldn't be a Republican or Democrat thing. This is an American thing. Second, we must hold those involved responsible and accountable. Last, we must provide the American people with full transparency. After nearly 4 years of investigation, substantial evidence now points to the Wuhan Institute of Virology as the source of the COVID-19 virus. Disturbingly, it has come to light that the Wuhan lab conducted this research funded by the United States Government. While the Department of Health and Human Services has taken action against the institution, it is evident that more must be done. The HHS Office of Inspector General released a report in January of this year, January of 2023, revealing that the NIH failed to effectively monitor or address EcoHealth's compliance with certain requirements. Shockingly, the NIH only began investigating the Wuhan Institute's role in the pandemic at the outset of the crisis. This lack of foresight is unacceptable, especially considering the potential consequences of such research. Moreover, the investigation brought to light EcoHealth's delayed submission of a critical report containing evidence of a virus with enhanced growth, a report that should have been reported immediately. This is just one instance of the NIH's failure to exercise proper oversight. In light of these findings, it is imperative that we hold the NIH accountable for its shortcomings. The American people deserve an assurance that our agencies are performing their duties diligently and responsibly, especially when the consequences are as far-reaching as the global pandemic was. The HHS's report highlights a series of lapses in NIH's monitoring and oversight. Given these documented failures, I strongly believe that the NIH should face consequences for its role in the mishandling of funds and lack of oversight. Our amendment sends a clear message that we, as representatives of the American people, will not tolerate negligence that results in such catastrophic outcomes. In conclusion, let us come together to pass this crucial amendment, demonstrating our commitment to accountability, transparency, and the well-being of the American people. It is time to act decisively and ensure that our agencies fulfill their responsibilities to prevent future crises of this magnitude. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I disagree with my colleague from Connecticut. The American people want the NIH to succeed. We need the NIH to succeed, but the American people are also saying, show us transparency. Tell us what is going on. When the government is trusted, then we can actually get results and do good things for the American people. This is about trust. In fact, $3.7 million, I think that is a small price to pay when it comes to the price that Americans paid. Yes, I urge this to be a bipartisan amendment, that we have transparency. If you are on the side of the American people, who deserve better from government agencies, this should be an easy amendment. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, thank you for joining me today as I bring forth a matter of great concern and shed light on recently proposed regulatory changes that will severely impact Medicaid programs across the country, including Texas, and have profound consequences on the 90 million Americans who rely on Medicaid to access healthcare. This year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, introduced materials that challenge the statutory language governing States' longstanding methods to fund the non-Federal share of the Medicaid payments. Two documents, in particular, have raised significant concerns: the information bulletin on healthcare-related taxes and hold-harmless arrangements and specific provisions of CMS's proposed rule titled ``Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality.'' The amendment I am proposing to the fiscal year 2024 Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill will protect the safety net in Texas and many other States and ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries continue to receive the essential care by prohibiting Federal funds from being used to finalize, implement, and enforce harmful policies that will severely limit States' ability to draw down critical Federal Medicaid payments. For the most part, I applaud CMS for pushing forward with a comprehensive regulation to overhaul the structure of Medicaid-managed care programs. I acknowledge the potential positive impact of certain provisions that could enhance access to coverage and care, if implemented. However, there are legitimate concerns that specific policies within this framework will compromise States' access to vital financial resources, undermining the intended improvements. Firstly, CMS's recently proposed changes directly contradict the understanding that Texas and other States have relied on for years to operate their Medicaid programs. As Judge Kernodle recently stated in his ruling enjoining CMS from using their unsupported interpretation: ``CMS may not rewrite clear statutory terms to suit its own sense of how the statute should operate.'' Secondly, the proposed rule expands CMS's authority over State- directed payments by granting the agency the power to withhold approval or retroactively deny already approved State directed payments if it believes they are financed with impermissible non-Federal dollars. This newfound discretion may introduce uncertainties into States' Medicaid financing structures, potentially hindering their ability to implement and maintain State-directed payments that contribute to the welfare of Medicaid beneficiaries. To sum it up, these proposed policies are an overreach and the latest efforts in a series of Federal actions seeking to erode States' flexibility, increase oversight, and curtail arrangements that help hospitals draw down Federal funds and provide much-needed access to care for not only Texas patients but patients in many other States. If enacted, policies of this kind would accelerate hospital closures, limit access to care for low-income Americans, and leave States with a more significant financial Medicaid burden. Mr. Chair, I urge each of my colleagues to support this amendment and recognize the gravity of this situation. My amendment aims to safeguard consistent, predictable, and adequate funding, ensuring access to care for all Americans, especially those in vulnerable situations. Your support is crucial in protecting the stability of our hospitals and ensuring that Medicaid beneficiaries continue to receive the care that they deserve. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I appreciate my colleague from Connecticut, and I think we probably have the same aim, which is to have care and access to that care. For States like Texas that chose not to expand Medicaid, this rule is particularly damaging. Again, I can't stress enough how the risk of the overreach of the Federal Government will hurt those who want to access care. The proposed rule expands the authority of our State directed payments and has the ability to withhold the approval or retroactively deny already approved State directed payments. In reality, the access to care really is at stake. I agree. We are both probably talking about a similar level of access. This rule will negatively impact that. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann).

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chairman, it is unfortunate that we have to be here to talk about this. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, as the Representative of one of the most important energy production areas in the country, this is a national security issue. The Biden administration's assault on our baseload, dispatchable generation of electricity has resulted in record-high prices for consumers and looming resource inadequacies throughout the country, and it has threatened our grid reliability. Just a few weeks ago, the Department of Energy's Assistant Secretary for Electricity, Mr. Rodrigues, testified before the Energy and Commerce Committee regarding policies to enhance the reliability and efficiency in powering American homes. I am sad to say that at this hearing, Mr. Rodrigues, who is the head of electricity at the Department of Energy, had no idea how much electricity the United States uses each year. He stated that the reason he was chosen for this position was not because he was a subject matter expert. It saddens me to be standing here, but that is just not an acceptable position, and this glaring lack of knowledge is not okay. It is unacceptable from the head of the Department of Energy's electricity division. This administration has worked every day to transform energy industries and to push a green agenda that doesn't work, that is not reliable, that doesn't take into account reliability. Their own named Assistant Secretary doesn't know how much electricity we use. When you look at examples of what they have pushed for--a substantial increase in electric vehicles and other policies--you have to ask the question: If they don't know how much electricity we currently use, then will they know how much electricity we would require with their mandates for electric vehicles? In Texas alone, if all of our cars were electrified today, just as an example, the State would need approximately an additional 110 terawatt- hours of electricity per year, the average annual electricity consumption of 11 million homes. The added electricity demand would result in a 30 percent increase over current consumption. That is the kind of example that I expect Mr. Rodrigues and others within the Department of Energy to know. This is a gigantic increase in demand. This administration continues to put American producers and consumers in a bad situation. It is critical that we have good leadership at DOE. Let me make this clear: I want the Assistant Secretary to be successful. We should all want these people in leadership positions to be successful. If he succeeds, our country wins. However, when you are the Assistant Secretary for Electricity and don't know every detail about electricity in the United States, then you are not succeeding. It is for that reason that I recommend this amendment to reduce his salary to $1 and remind DOE of their core mission, which is to help Americans with reliable and affordable energy. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, the most important tool our country has is energy. It is the underpinning of our economy. It forms a foundational piece of our national security. We see this playing out in all parts of the world right now. The prosperity of our country rests on the abundant natural resources that we have that no other country has. We are blessed to have those natural resources. This has been reaffirmed as Americans have seen the events unfold in places like Ukraine. Make no mistake, the single biggest important impetus for Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine was the belief that Vladimir Putin would not weaponize energy, and he did. We recognize the critical importance of secure, abundant, affordable resources and affordable energy better than anywhere else. Because we know what it takes to produce it, we understand how devastating it would be to lose it, and we see the potential before us if we had the opportunity to unleash our full energy capabilities. Our Nation is blessed with natural resources and a strong, innovative spirit that encapsulates the American character. Nowhere is this more evident than in my own district with the Permian Basin, which produces over 40 percent of the country's oil production. While climate alarmists scream that oil and gas are bad, I feel confident in saying that if they were serious about reducing carbon emissions, we would actually produce it here, where we do it much cleaner, much better, more efficiently, and with higher labor standards than anywhere else. Don't export that to our adversaries. Unfortunately, this administration has done just that. They would rather look to our adversaries for energy than embrace the innovation that is being done right here at home. When looking to supply the energy needs for Americans, I respectfully ask that the President call the mayor of Midland, Texas, not OPEC, for our energy needs. At a time when our world is increasingly destabilized, our Nation needs us to lead from the front. Our domestic energy production is too important an asset to be left out of our national security toolkit, and we must use this unique asset not only for our benefit here domestically but around the world. LNG, much of which is produced in the Permian Basin--10 percent, by the way, worldwide--will play the leading role in helping reach developing nations to provide them with clean, affordable, reliable energy to power their economies. Global demand for LNG will continue to increase, with estimates nearly double what it is now in the next 20 years. This is a massive opportunity for our country to lead, and if we don't have advisers in this administration who think critically about American energy as a national security tool, the consequences will be severe. Under this administration, senior advisers have praised China as a leader in clean energy, begged OPEC to produce more oil than doing it here domestically and tried to sabotage the credibility of American producers here. That is why I am leading an amendment to reduce the salary of Andrew Light, the Department of Energy's Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, to $1. We need the administration to focus on our own strength, our own inventions, and our own capabilities. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and the legacy of Mr. Jim Henry. Mr. Henry's legacy is one of true innovation and foresight. His pioneering work in the Permian Basin oilfields, particularly in opening the Wolfberry play, laid the groundwork for the shale revolution that reinvigorated the entire region. His dedication, expertise, and tireless efforts transformed not only the industry but also the lives of countless families throughout America and beyond. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Henry was known for his generous spirit and philanthropy. He understood the importance of giving back to the community that had given him so much. As a prominent businessman in Midland, Texas, said, he was a legend and a sweet man at the same time, a rare combination. His legacy will be forever woven into the fabric of the Permian Basin, a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and dedication. Mr. Henry's family and loved ones are in my prayers and in my thoughts. Our community will continue to honor Jim's remarkable achievements and his positive impact on the world.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, it is great to be back at work, doing the important work of the House. Mr. Speaker, the United States stands united in the face of the horrific, barbaric attacks on our greatest ally in the Middle East-- Israel. The October 7 attack, nearly 50 years to the day after the Yom Kippur War, was horrific. More than 1,500-plus people murdered, hundreds more taken hostage, including American citizens. The brutality is unlike anything we have seen in modern times. With women and children being raped and babies beheaded, this cannot be the norm. Israel has every right to protect themselves, to defend themselves and their sovereignty. Our country must support Israel's efforts to protect its citizens and uphold its sovereignty without question. With misinformation and the horrible pro-Hamas demonstrations across the world, the U.S. Congress must reaffirm our unwavering support for Israel. Together, we must work toward a lasting peace that ensures the security and prosperity of our Jewish friends and Israel. Let us stand shoulder to shoulder in this pursuit, unwavering in our commitment to justice, freedom, and the enduring bonds that bind our nations together. We stand with Israel today and forever.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Republicans' plan to cut spending to keep government open and to shut down the border. The President has failed Americans. He has failed Texans. He has failed us by not securing our border. Mr. Speaker, 7\1/2\ million illegal immigrants, 150 people just this year who matched the terror watch list, 13,000 criminals, 100,000-plus fentanyl poisoning deaths is unacceptable. Enough is enough. This plan, which would also include H.R. 2, the most secure border act in decades, puts the President on notice. Now is the time. This is the most important border security vote in 20 years. This vote right here not only cuts spending, but it shuts down the border and the disaster, the chaos, and the unacceptable level of death that our President has caused. This bill deserves our attention. I urge my colleagues to cut the spending, to keep the government open, and to shut down the border.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Chair, what an opportunity to have Texans debating Texans. I hope that every Texan from the RGV all the way to Amarillo and from El Paso all the way to Beaumont is listening to this debate because the line is clear. Chaos and lawlessness or law and order. Which is it going to be? I do agree with my colleague who just said that the Constitution clearly says this is a Federal issue. I think this is the first thing that we have agreed on. The Constitution does say that. Article IV, Section 4. Joe Biden has abdicated his responsibility. I have got the numbers from the Del Rio sector right here. Just in Del Rio during FY 23, 347,572 encounters, 144,900 known got-aways, 2,155 criminal arrests, and the gall to say that the Governor of Texas doesn't have the right to protect us when the Federal Government has completely abdicated? I was in Eagle Pass this week. I wish that my colleagues would have been there. I wish they would have met the young lady from Venezuela who was brutally attacked by the cartels, separated from her husband, kicked in the face multiple times, 30 stitches in her head because of the failed policies. Texas is the only government that is doing anything about this, and yet they have the gall to say that we don't have the right to defend ourselves when a Venezuelan flag is placed onto the shore of Texas property? In any other time period in history, that would be a declaration of war. Talk to the troopers. Talk to the State troopers who are down there and see the things that they are going through: The resuscitation of a 4-year-old last week and the week before. I have had multiple Border Patrol agents tell me that the reason we have 2.3 million people who have entered this country illegally this year is because we have no consequences. There were 2.2 million last year. Every year since Joe Biden has been President, this chaos has gotten worse and worse. Enough is enough. I am so glad that we are sitting here having a Texas versus Texas debate because I hope that Texans are looking at this for what it is. The reason that this is an issue is because the President of the United States, Secretary Mayorkas, and others throughout the administration on day one in January of 2021 reversed every single policy that worked. No more MPP, no more border wall, and to hear the falsehoods that are coming out of my colleagues about not funding Border Patrol agents? Take a look at H.R. 2. Take a look at what that does to fund more agents, to put more technology into place. It is time for a shutdown of the southern border, and that is what we are calling on the President to do. This amendment should have said that we are going to reimburse the State of Texas for $5 billion this year and $5 billion last year.

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to block any potential remain in Texas policy. It appears Democrats are starting to realize the severity of the border crisis. On August 8, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency due to an influx of illegal aliens. I think the number was 7,500. The next day, New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that the illegal alien influx was ``not sustainable'' and would ``destroy New York City.'' All it took for the President to realize there was a crisis at the border was a little complaining from his Democrat donors. They don't mind the border crisis as long as it stays far away from their blue State. What is the President's solution? Instead of securing the border, the Biden administration is considering instating a remain in Texas policy. You heard that right--not a policy to thwart illegal immigration but one that would punish Texas and force our State to be the sole provider for millions of illegal immigrants crossing our southern border every single year. Liberal sanctuary cities, like New York, that openly obstruct Federal immigration laws and have policies in place to shield criminals from Immigration and Customs Enforcement should not be immune to the crisis at our collective southern border. President Biden's remain in Texas policy must remain in the trash can. My amendment ends this administration's attempt to force Texans to bear the brunt of the immigration crisis. Secure the border and vote ``yes'' on this amendment. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), my good friend and colleague.

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Chair, I also thank my colleague from Texas on the other side of aisle for bringing up a good point, that we should be thinking about how to remove people who come across illegally. That is exactly what Border Patrol agents told me just this past weekend when I was in Eagle Pass. Their solution, which was the last solution of the administration, was deportation. I think my colleague was actually the one on TV about a week ago who said--and I am not necessarily quoting exactly what my colleague said-- until you see the images of people being deported, they are going to continue to come. I couldn't agree with him more, that those images need to happen because that is the message that we need to send. So, no, we don't need a remain in Texas policy. We need a remain in Mexico policy. We need to go back to the policies of the previous administration that were working before we had millions of people coming into this country illegally because they know that the border is wide open. This is a symptom. Let's get to the root cause. Let's send H.R. 2 in the form that we passed it here in the House to the Senate and to the President and secure our border once and for all. Enough is enough. Madam Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative Joyce's H.R. 1435, Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, to prevent the EPA from imposing new regulations that would ban the sales of new motor vehicles with gas-powered internal combustion engines. Last year, California enacted new requirements on automakers, effectively banning the sale of new gas-powered cars and light trucks by 2035 and limiting consumer choice in new vehicles to electric vehicles. Mr. Speaker, we have a choice presented before us today. We can expand California's failed and expensive green energy mandates to the rest of the Nation, or we can invest in liquid fuels to restore American energy independence, make gas affordable again, and secure our energy future. H.R. 1435 will accomplish these goals. Electric vehicles are not for everybody. Just ask Secretary Granholm about her recent road trip throughout the United States. Spoiler alert: The police were called. When you think about the costly and ineffective proposals like those from California and the Biden administration, they reject the proven benefits of the liquid fuel sector. Investing in ever-cleaner liquid fuels, like biofuels and conventional fuels, provides immediate environmental benefits, supports our domestic economy, and bolsters national security while keeping costs low. When we asked the Secretary recently about how much electricity the United States uses on an annual basis, she couldn't answer it, nor can any administration official answer it, but yet they want to mandate this not just in California but throughout the United States. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 1435, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Brownwood, Texas Kiwanis Club's continued service to children in their community for 100 years. The Brownwood Charter has helped thousands of children in their community and across the globe, dedicating countless resources to improving children's health, education, and development. Their servant leadership has helped impact children's lives from infancy to early adulthood. They have assisted needy children through scholarships, blood drives, leadership opportunities, and more. For 100 years, their selflessness and guidance have been inspiring, and their mission will continue to provide children and the Brownwood community the help and opportunities they deserve to have a shining future. I thank the Brownwood Charter for their selfless service and dedication to improving their community for 100 years. Their work is emblematic of the values that make our Nation the greatest country in the world.

Mr. PFLUGER

Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, in 2006, Congress authorized the Department of Homeland Security to regulate security practices at chemical facilities to reduce the risk of terrorists triggering an intentional release or stealing chemicals for use in an attack elsewhere. CFATS, as it is known, requires certain facilities, whose possession of chemicals above certain levels present high levels of security risk, to assess their vulnerabilities and implement security measures to minimize terrorism risks posed by these vulnerabilities. On July 27, this Thursday, the statutory authority for the CFATS program is scheduled to sunset. As I said previously at a Homeland Security markup of this legislation, I will support this legislation to cleanly extend the program for an additional 2 years, but I am disappointed that it is such a short authorization period. Companies of all sizes invest millions of dollars into CFATS compliance, and they deserve the certainty of knowing what the long- term standards for compliance will be as they look to reinvest money into technologies and infrastructure. It is important to note that these facilities fall under a variety of sectors critical to our communities, including energy and utilities, food production, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, laboratories, and more. I will support this legislation today to cleanly extend the program, but I hope that this body can work towards a long-term reauthorization in the future. It is clear that the threats that gave rise to CFATS persist today, and we must take these threats seriously. In addition, it is also important to note that industry is asking for this authorization, which is unlike some of the other regulatory overreach that we see from the administration today. What we are talking about is industry asking to work with government. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4470.