Congressional Spotlight: Rep. August Pfluger, TX-11

Rep. August Pfluger is a retired military veteran serving his first term representing Texas' 11th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security.

What pieces of legislation or initiatives from this Congress on behalf of the Texas 11th district are you most proud of?

I am fortunate to represent the Permian Basin, which accounts for approximately 40 percent of U.S. oil production and 15 percent of our natural gas production. The Permian is the largest secure supply of crude oil in the world—serving as a key geopolitical tool for America and our allies. One of my top priorities in Congress is setting a national energy policy that not only provides cheap, abundant and ever-cleaner energy to American families, but also ensures our allies can power their economies without relying on malign actors.

“Midland Over Moscow” and the “American Energy Freedom Act” are the two most important pieces of legislation I’ve offered this Congress. Both pieces of legislation direct the Administration to use American resources to keep the U.S. and our allies safe and no longer dependent on our foreign adversaries for energy.

They will force the Biden Administration to develop an energy security strategy and fuel the world with American — not Russian — energy, permanently halt the Nord Stream II pipeline, establish a fair regulatory structure for producers here at home, and unleash American Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) exports to fill the needs of our allies.

One of the most rewarding and meaningful missions in Congress has been advocating for the release of Trevor Reed and welcoming him home to the United States.

Trevor is a U.S. Marine Veteran from Granbury, Texas, who was unlawfully detained in a horrible Russian labor camp since 2019. Finally, after nearly three years of incarceration, he was brought back safely to U.S. soil on April 28, 2022.

When I came into office in January of 2021, I made it my mission to make sure that all 435 of my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, knew about Trevor Reed. I wanted them to know his name and how much he matters. He is a patriot, Texan, Marine, Boy Scout, and the son of Paula and Joey. Most importantly he is an American—and he loves this country.

Together with my colleagues in Congress, and his parents’ tireless efforts, we repeatedly raised Trevor’s case to the Administration—eventually getting the attention of the Secretary of State and President Biden himself.

I am so proud that so many in our government put patriotism over politics in our work to bring Trevor home. This is what our country needs more of.

Your Energy Freedom Act legislation covered everything from Federal Lands leasing, to federal permitting and regulations targeted at the industry. How has the reception been from your colleagues in the House, specifically from those on the other side of the aisle? Where do you see a headway being made?

President Biden willingly gave away American energy independence through his assault on the oil and gas industry. We must have an energy security strategy that puts American production at the forefront.

With over $5 national average gas prices and record-high inflation largely due to high energy costs, I am hopeful that my colleagues in Congress will recognize the importance of energy security and join Sen. Ted Cruz and me in our legislation to restore American energy dominance.

We do have some bipartisan support for our pro-energy policies, but more work needs to be done in persuading others on the importance of the long-term use of thermal energy sources, especially U.S. produced natural gas. Industry can play a vital role in this effort; we have a great story in Texas, we need to tell it.

Energy security is one of the most important issues around the world today, how do you see the war in Ukraine affecting the global energy mix in the near and long term, and what issues will the U.S. face in terms of energy security domestically?

Europe’s current energy crisis should wake every policy maker up to the truth that we need affordable, abundant and secure energy. We are not in an energy transition, but an energy expansion. World demand for energy is projected to increase by 47 percent by 2050 over 2020 demand. The United States — not Russia, Iran, or China — must position itself to fill this demand.

Global demand for Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), much of which is developed in the Permian Basin (10 percent worldwide) is expected to increase nearly two-fold in less than twenty years. This is a massive opportunity for the United States to fuel the world, make America stronger, and bolster the energy security of our allies.

We have a small window of time to act, and we can’t let this opportunity pass us by as a nation. Europe, Latin America and Asia shouldn’t rely on nefarious actors for their most basic energy needs. We need to make it easier to ship more made-in-America goods across the globe – exporting American energy molecules produced by professionals right here in the Permian Basin.

An energy expansion policy means recognizing the importance of the long-term use of fossil fuels, especially U.S.-produced natural gas, and U.S. LNG must be central in our discussions with our transatlantic partners and in an energy strategy.

Washington seems increasingly polarized on major issues affecting Americans and their everyday lives. Do you think there are areas where the country and its Congress can come together to get things done?

There may be increased polarization between Americans and Members of Congress, but I do have hope. The bipartisan support and advocacy from Members across the aisle in advocating for Trevor Reed is one good example of how Texans and Americans can pull together when called upon.

You have had the opportunity to host several members of Congress out to the Permian recently, what have their impressions/reactions been? As someone who is around energy as much as we are, how can we make inroads with the Members of Congress who aren’t as familiar with the industry?

Representing the Permian Basin—the largest secure supply of crude oil in the world—means bearing the torch for the largest secure supply of energy in the world. In Congress, I have made it my mission to educate other Members and the general public about what we do in the oil and gas industry. It has been an honor to host Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, the Republican Leader of the Energy & Commerce Committee Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the Republican Leader on the Natural Resources Committee Bruce Westerman, and many other Members of Congress in the Permian Basin to talk about energy security. When they visit, they see first-hand how the industry operates and impacts so many lives.

I am constantly advocating for the industry and the good that it does for our country, but I need every operator, owner, and worker to join me in vocalizing these positive effects.

Explaining what we do in the oil and gas industry and why it matters to other communities around the state and Nation will be critical in reaching Members who are not familiar with energy production.

I am asking you to help me in spreading the message that the United States must not only be energy independent but energy dominant.