Representing Oklahoma's First Congressional District in Congress.
This week, your Republican House Majority voted to:
- STOP Biden's socialist student loan giveaway
- PROTECT gas cars, and throw out Biden's rule which would make TWO-THIRDS of new cars be EVs
- EXPOSE our foreign adversaries' influence over our universities
What should we tackle next? Let me know! ⬇
NEWS from
THE RIPON SOCIETY
"Congressman Tony Gonzales & Congressman August Pfluger Push to Strengthen Security Along America’s Southern Border"
December 7, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC – With a record number of migrants streaming across America’s southern border, The Ripon Society hosted a breakfast discussion yesterday morning with U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and August Pfluger (TX-11), who talked not only about how this crisis is impacting the people they represent back home, but how it is impacting the perception of America around the world.
Gonzales and Pfluger, who are both military veterans, were both elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020. They currently serve as Members of the House Homeland Security Committee, where Pfluger is Chair of, and Gonzales serves on the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement and Intelligence. Gonzales, whose district spans roughly 800 miles and makes up about two-thirds of the Texas-Mexico border, also serves on the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
“The crisis turned on and it has not turned off, and that's been tough,” Gonzales shared in his opening remarks. “I'll give you an example. Yesterday I was speaking with the mayor of Eagle Pass. ‘Hey, so how's everything going, Rolando?’ You can hear it in his voice, he goes, ‘You know what's happening, Tony? It's Groundhog Day here.’
“The conversation we had is the exact conversation I've had with him maybe 20 times. It's as bad as we've ever seen it.”
Eagle Pass is home to the Camino Real Eagle Pass Port of Entry – making the city a hot spot for migrant crossings. The city made national headlines in September as the mayor declared a state of emergency after an unsustainable number of migrants flooded the city.
Gonzales continued.
“I look at this through the lens of solving the problem. We know what the problem is. It's clear that's been identified. It's tough to not say it's not a problem, because whether it's the number of folks coming over illegally or whether it's the amount of fentanyl that's killing everybody, there is not one city in the United States that's not impacted by this.
“When I see division, when I see this influx of problems, I see opportunity. There's an opportunity to solve this, if we view it through the lens of a national security package. … And once again, I think there's an opportunity for us to stand with Israel and to stand with our allies to stand with Ukraine as they defend against Putin's invasion. I'm also of the mindset that you can't just throw money at a problem and expect it to go away. That never works, ever. There has to be policy changes. There has to be real discussions. But there is an opportunity right now to get a border security package, Israel aid and Ukraine aid, if we can just manage the politics in it. I think we can do that. And I think, more importantly, the American people demand that."
Pfluger, whose District neighbors the 23rd District of Texas, approached the issue from an international perspective.
“People don't take you seriously around the world if you're weak at home. And they certainly don't take you seriously if there's chaos, and if the rule of law is ignored. How do you compel an administration, a president, to gather the political will and to be strong? That is a very tough problem set.”
Pfluger, who led a bipartisan Congressional Member Delegation (CODEL) to Latin America this summer, brought up the amount of fentanyl that is flooding the country through the southern border and is killing thousands of Americans, much of which has been traced back to China.
“The Chinese Communist Party is using the cartel networks. They're laundering money. It's a very sophisticated method of getting product into the United States that's causing the deaths and the cartels are not stupid, and they're using people who are looking for a better way of life, who are trying to take care of their families. I can't blame these people that are looking at the United States going, 'We're going there because that's the opportunity.' I cannot blame them at all, but there's got to be an orderly manner in which we do business. And that is completely missing.
“I don't think that this administration is going to actually have the political will to re-implement Remain in Mexico, the migrant protection protocols that the last administration put in place. But obviously, I will urge them to do that. I know that Tony has done that as well. To me, this is about political will. It's about compelling the administration to take the steps to do what they have not done so far. And it's causing a lot of chaos in our country.”
In the latter part of the discussion, the Congressmen fielded a number of questions. The first question referred to the “progress” the administration claims to be making through low-level, daily releases of migrants, and if the Congressmen had noticed any difference because of it.
“You cannot capacity yourself out of this problem. You can't build enough soft sided facilities, that that's the wrong approach, and that's the way the administration is going,” answered Gonzales. “They're just adding more money to it. All that's doing is attracting more people to come over. The problem is, and August alluded to it, it's the enforcement piece to it.”
Gonzales then commented on his recent trip to the southern border with Elon Musk, who then shared his experience on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“We basically do this X Live deal that got over a hundred million views, a hundred million people. I'm talking [about] people that are not watching Fox News, or CNN for that matter. I've seen this. And they're going, 'This is crazy.'”
The Navy veteran also brought those who are trying to immigrate legally into the conversation.
“It's not only about the people that are coming over illegally that we have to tackle. I mean, what about the people that are trying to do it the right way? I've told the administration, 'Every day that you allow this to happen, all you're doing is you're making it harder for me and others in Congress to come together and have an immigration reform package that works.’ When they [the Administration] wave a wand and give work visas to 500,000 Venezuelans that are here illegally, what do you tell all those people that have been waiting in line to try to get a work visa? You tell them that's not the way to do it. The way to do it is to come over here illegally and you'll be rewarded.”
Pfluger echoed his colleague’s remarks.
“No, I don't think it's getting better. I agree with Tony and have spent a lot of time as well talking with Senators about this very issue. Just look at the last 24-hour period. 10,281 people across all sectors.”
When asked about the relationship between aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and securing our southern border in the context of international security, Pfluger broke it down between policy versus politics.
“Are these issues linked policy-wise? Not really. Are they linked politically? Absolutely, 100%. We have people in our party that are isolationists, believe in populism, [and] don't think that it's right to partner up and have alliances. I disagree with that. I was in Europe stationed in NATO in 2014 when Crimea was taken. We remember that. It was called a bloodless conflict. But that happened. And we depend on our alliances, specifically the Five Eyes alliance, the NATO alliance, our partnerships with other countries throughout Eastern Europe and our alliances with Japan and Korea have, I believe, kept the world safer.
“As the funding is running out,” the Chairman continued, “this is a major priority for the White House. We as Republicans cannot allow Democrats to steal the national security narrative. We're the party of national security. We need to regain that narrative and retake it, demand that they communicate to us, and then be reasonable about whatever package comes through.
“And politically, these things are linked together. I believe that the Speaker of the House is going to use the leverage knowing that the White House believes in supporting Ukraine. I believe in supporting Ukraine, but we've got to pair some of these things together. Those would include, probably not limited to, funding for Ukraine, funding to help Israel, funding to help in some sort of supplemental Taiwan, and obviously for border security. And that is policy.”
Gonzales noted that there are a number of external factors to consider when tying such large amounts of foreign aid to critical domestic issues.
“To be very frank, Americans are tired, and they're going, 'Wait a second here, what about us? I'm following the rules. I'm working my butt off. I'm doing all these different things and I'm falling further and further behind.' And so now it's getting more difficult to talk about foreign aid. 'Why are we giving money to 'fill in the blank' country and what about us?'
“The other piece to it too is you can no longer do anything alone in this world. Borders are just lines. What happens in one place certainly impacts the other. We saw that during COVID and the supply chain. I mean, just all these different issues. So, I think it's very imperative that the United States stand very firm with our allies.
“The other part I'd say too is, the deal is already there. The package is there. What lacks is this, Congress will do nothing unless there is a deadline and a cliff. And there is no Christmas deadline. There is no New Year's deadline. So, you take that power away, and I'm going, 'Well, you know, if you give us an opportunity to punt on first down, we will absolutely punt on first down.'
When asked about the key things holding Congress up from producing and moving legislation regarding the southern border, Gonzales noted, “it's less of a policy holdup. That's not the problem. It's more of how the politics are going to deal with it.”
Pfluger gave a two-pronged answer, both involving H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023.
“Number one, H.R. 2 is a toxic football for Senate Democrats. They're just appalled that we would pass a border security bill. It really kind of surpasses the understanding of normal Americans, but they're being driven. And I think it's a very small group of progressives on the political side. I agree with Tony that this is political.
“Number two, I think when it comes to what's involved in H.R. 2, or what's involved in the foundational pieces of the policy that need to actually change, there is a disagreement. And there is a strong push from Senate Democrats that, anything to do with families, any policy at all to deal with families is a non-starter for them. Likewise, when it comes to what Tony was mentioning, about parole, the ability to raise asylum thresholds to a credible fear that you have to deal with asylum right now, you don't let somebody go into the interior without actually investigating this case and adjudicating it in a timely fashion. And we don't have the ability to do that right now. And that's what pieces and parts of H.R. 2 would compel the administration to have to actually do this before you put them on a bus and send them to whatever city. So, I do think that there are some policy differences.
“Tony is right. Any American can look at this and go, ‘this is not right.’ Besides the political view of supporting your party, what's happening is not right. Almost 8 million people in two and a half, three years. That's insane.”
The Ripon Society is a public policy organization that was founded in 1962 and takes its name from the town where the Republican Party was born in 1854 – Ripon, Wisconsin. One of the main goals of The Ripon Society is to promote the ideas and principles that have made America great and contributed to the GOP’s success. These ideas include keeping our nation secure, keeping taxes low and having a federal government that is smaller, smarter and more accountable to the people.
To read more and view the Congressmen’s remarks before The Ripon Society yesterday morning, please click https://riponsociety.org/2023/12/gonzales-pfluger-push-to-strengthen-security-along-americas-southern-border/
Today, we honor the 2,403 American lives lost in the Pearl Harbor attacks.
They made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and our country.
BREAKING NEWS!
The national debt just exceeded $100,000 per citizen.
We must STOP Washington's out-of-control spending cycle!
The House just PASSED the RSC-endorsed Pfluger Amendment to the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act!
His amendment strengthened this important legislation by freezing all sanctioned Iranian assets permanently.
Thank you to my 12 Democrat colleagues who supported this amendment.
We don't do this very often...
The RSC just adopted an OFFICIAL position on Congressman August Pfluger's amendment to the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act.
His amendment strengthens this bill by freezing ALL sanctioned Iranian assets permanently.
US should NOT fund terrorism. Full stop.
The Biden Admin claims the border is secure.
Not a chance!
I just saw a video of a train headed from Mexico to America.
On top? It looks like HUNDREDS of migrants.
They know Biden cares more about appeasing leftists than securing our border, so they're flooding across.
Check out the video in the comments for yourself.
Biden is weak.
He doesn't stack up against China. Do they even see him as a threat?
Biden must GO!
I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving! Give THANKS! 🇺🇸👊🏼
I enjoyed visiting with folks from the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors at the Warren CAT facility in NE Tulsa. We need more hard-working Oklahomans building America and putting people to work.
I was glad to speak to the Pipe Liners Club of Tulsa last night. Energy security is national security, and there is no better way to transport energy than through pipelines.
I toured D&L Oil Tools in Tulsa to learn more about our local oil and gas industry. I appreciate all the hard working Oklahomans who help provide energy to our communities.
This is bad. Really, really bad.
Yesterday, President Biden and President Xi (of China) met.
They talked about a lot of things...including pushing MORE educational, student, youth, cultural, sports, and business exchanges.
Has he forgotten about the espionage committed by Chinese companies and the Confucius Institutes? Will they set aside 10% for the "Big Guy?"
It's time to decouple from our adversary, China, and hold them accountable for opposing freedom. Now is not the time to strengthen our ties.
I’m excited to launch my 2024 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in the 1st District. This year’s theme is “Seasons of the Heartland: Depicting the changing seasons and weather of Oklahoma.” The winning piece will be displayed in the halls of Congress for a full year! Follow the link for more details.
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school art competition. The competition is open to all high school students in the First District. The overall winner from the First Congressional District will have the honor of having their artwork displayed for one year in the U....
For THREE YEARS, Biden has been IGNORING THIS!
Three years ago, Congress passed the No Surprise Act. This bill was simple: it said patients deserve to know a cost estimate of the services they'd get at the doctor's office before they have their appointment. It is common sense and straightforward.
Now more than ever under Biden's failing economy, we need to implement this legislation. My amendment ensures we do just that.
LEARN MORE:
I was proud to speak at the EAGLE OPS 5k & Honor Mile this morning. On Veterans Day, we celebrate our great vets and their families that we are so proud of. Make sure you tell these great men and women “welcome home” in addition to thanking them for their service today.
THANK YOU to all our brave Veterans! 🇺🇸
I was honored to meet with veterans this morning who have served our nation. I stopped in at 50’s diner in Broken Arrow to meet heroes like WWII vet, Ralph Simoni, and received a flag signed by local veterans. Then, I went to the Tulsa Veterans Day parade to celebrate these amazing men and women. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the folks who have fought for our freedom.
My office was honored to coordinate with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for a naturalization ceremony to welcome new American citizens to our community. I was unfortunately absent from this event due to votes in Washington, but I am so glad that my wife, Tammy, was able to welcome these incredible individuals as fellow Americans. I also want to thank the “Voices of Oral Roberts University” for their beautiful singing of our national anthem.
Coming up on NEWSMAX! You’re not going to want to miss this one 🇺🇸🇺🇸
I just voted to help our friend and ally, Israel! 🇺🇸🇮🇱
To my 12 Democrat colleagues who joined us in support of Israel: Thank you for putting our ally's needs before political games.
America needs peace through STRENGTH, not war through WEAKNESS.
SHARE if you agree! 🇺🇸
Alongside many RSC members, I introduced the Maximum Pressure Act in response to the October 7th attacks on Israel.
This legislation...
1️⃣ Declares that Iran is responsible for the October 7 terrorist attacks against Israel and that the only suitable punishment for these attacks is a return to maximum pressure on Iran.
2️⃣ Transfers Iran’s $6B ransom payment to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.
3️⃣ Removes the limits on bounties for the capture of terrorist perpetrators of the October 7 massacre.
4️⃣ Expands sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and sales to also include Iranian drones.
5️⃣ Requires Treasury to blacklist all new banks in Iran not already sanctioned under E.O. 13902.
6️⃣ Requires a report on Iranian intelligence and influence activities in the U.S., like the Iran Experts Initiative, and whether Iranian agents have been employed with the U.S. government.
7️⃣ Requires a report on whether Iran sanctions relief has freed up resources for Iranian-backed terrorist groups and describing how much those groups have benefited from sanctions relief.
It's time to put MAXIMUM PRESSURE on Iran! 🇺🇸
Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.
Hebrews 11:1
The deadline for Congressional App Challenge submissions is November 1st. This is a special opportunity for high school students to engage in coding, computer science, and other important STEM careers for the future!
https://hern.house.gov/services/congressional-app-challenge.htm?fbclid=IwAR0bK7w_glrqNSuk1Vfr-TXFTQ58EYri_ST6D2OVk-ukVam6uhFg4_yq7vw
The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is a competition aimed at encouraging U.S. high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The Challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and encou...
Today, October 25, is World Spina Bifida Day! To honor those close to me and those around the world living with spina bifida, I submitted the following into the Congressional Record:
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day, as well as October as National Spina Bifida Month.
Spina Bifida impacts families across these United States, my own included. My sister and niece have lived with Spina Bifida since childhood.
Spina Bifida is a birth defect which results from a hole in the spiral cord that fails to close properly, which allows nerves and fluid to form a sac outside the body. This defect means that a child must undergo dozens of surgeries before adulthood, and even then, they face a multitude of mental and physical health issues. Each condition is unique, and no two children will be affected the same way.
In a testament to the innovation and research of our American scientific ingenuity, we now have the first generation of adults who are living with Spina Bifida. However, there is still much work to do.
It is our obligation to ensure proper funding for Spina Bifida care and research so that treatment and quality of life can improve for all Americans with this condition."
Congrats, Rep. Mike Johnson! Our new Speaker!
Congratulations to former RSC Chairman .
He was just elected Speaker of the House!
Congrats, Speaker Mike Johnson!
You’re going to make an incredible Speaker of the House, and I can’t wait to help where I can. 🇺🇸
I didn't come here to BE someone. I came here to DO something.
I'm running for Speaker of the House so that we can get our country back on the right track.
I’ll join Carley Shimkus and Todd Piro on Fox News in just a couple moments!
Tune in 🇺🇸
I just joined NEWSMAX to discuss my bid for Speaker! Check it out:
Americans can’t afford Biden’s green energy giveaways.
We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy to give Americans reliable, affordable energy. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
President Joe Biden has a dream — and it’s about to turn into a nightmare for American taxpayers.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Secure the border NOW!
The terror attack by Hamas against Israel launched last week has refueled concerns from conservative officials and Republican lawmakers about the security of the U.S. border.
Israel has my unequivocal support today, tomorrow, and every day after. 🇺🇸🇮🇱
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Last night, I voted to condemn the 10/7 attack on Israel, and to reaffirm Israel’s right to exist. We will vote on a bill to permanently freeze $6 B of Iranian funds soon. Today, the RSC endorsed @repaugustpfluger’s amendment to that bill. The amendment aims to freeze ALL funds! BIG wins for our friend and ally, Israel.
Biden is weak. He doesn't stack up against China. Do they even see him as a threat? Biden must GO!
For THREE YEARS, Biden has been IGNORING THIS! Three years ago, Congress passed the No Surprise Act. This bill was simple: it said patients deserve to know a cost estimate of the services they'd get at the doctor's office before they have their appointment. It is common sense and straightforward. Now more than ever under Biden's failing economy, we need to implement this legislation. My amendment ensures we do just that. LEARN MORE:
I didn't come here to BE someone. I came here to DO something. I'm running for Speaker of the House so that we can get our country back on the right track.
I just joined NEWSMAX to discuss my bid for Speaker! Check it out:
Today, I joined Cavuto on Fox News! Thank you for having me this morning. It’s time for a different type of leader who has a proven track record of success!
I joined NEWSMAX to discuss my bid for Speaker! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
BALANCE our budgets. Get our APPROPRIATIONS bills done on time so we can STOP the irresponsible Continuing Resolutions and the huge Omnibuses!
Today, Iran attacked Israel unprovoked. The idea of appeasement with Iran does not work. Iran hates Israel. Iran hates America.
Today I joined Neil Cavuto on Fox News to discuss the current state of the House. I hope you'll give our conversation a watch:
Yesterday evening, I joined NEWSMAX to discuss the vacant speakership. In case you missed it:
Last week, our local hero and World War II Veteran William Norman Parker passed away. He was laid to rest today in Oklahoma. Bill was a man of incredible bravery and patriotism, one of the first soldiers to arrive on Omaha Beach on that fateful day in 1944. He served his country faithfully and will forever be remembered as a hero. I was honored to tell a little bit of his story in the United States House of Representatives this morning.
I joined NEWSMAX to deliver an update on our Southern border. I'm imploring you to watch and share. We must expose the Left's border crisis.
Last week, the President delivered a speech intended to divide the country. His message was clear: if you want a secure border, you're an "extremist." If you're opposed to the wasteful federal spending of trillions of taxpayer dollars, you're a "semi-fascist". If you want small government, a strong economy, and a more prosperous America, you "pose a threat to the very foundations of our republic". This comes less than two years after Biden campaigned as a "unifier" who would "bring people together". That was never his intention. Since he took office, Biden has labeled concerned parents as "domestic terrorists", abandoned Americans in Afghanistan, allowed fatal fentanyl to be smuggled across our border and into our communities, sent the DOJ after his political opponents, and weaponized the IRS to go after working-class Americans and small businesses. By “we the people", he means "I, Joe Biden". After last week's speech, there's no question that Joe Biden has done more to erode democracy than we ever thought possible. Biden's disdain for half his country will not be forgotten. I joined Mornings with Maria to give my reaction to that disastrous speech.
American families are facing the highest inflation we've seen in FOUR DECADES, but Democrats continue to spend more and more taxpayer money. More spending is NEVER the solution. Today, I offered Amendments to the bloated $405 BILLION federal spending package on the House Floor. I'm not sure what will convince my colleagues across the aisle that fiscal responsibility is paramount to our future, but I know that as long as they insist on wasting taxpayer dollars, Americans will continue to suffer.
I joined Newsmax this morning to talk about rising inflation and the Biden Administration’s failure to prevent over $163 MILLION in unemployment fraud during the pandemic. Taxpayers are on the hook for those funds, but Democrats refuse to address the fraud or work to prevent that number from increasing. You can watch the full interview here ⬇️⬇️
Last night, I hosted 14 members of the Republican Study Committee on the House floor to speak about Biden’s $3.5T socialist wish-list spending package. As the Chairman of the Committee’s Budget and Spending Task Force, I’m proud to lead the opposition to Democrats’ reckless tax and spend spree from the front.
Today, my colleagues and I on the Ways and Means Committee began the long process of marking up the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. Ways and Means has jurisdiction over the pieces of this legislation that impact healthcare and paid family leave, which we are discussing this afternoon. We also have jurisdiction over retirement and other welfare programs in the bill that we’ll be marking up today and tomorrow. Next week, we’ll mark up the Democrat’s tax increases, though we still don’t have bill text for it. I’ve been very consistent with my criticism of reckless spending, both under this Administration and the previous one. $3.5 trillion is an unthinkable sum, and most Americans do not want it. Meanwhile, the Democrats are ignoring the crisis on our Southern border, they’re telling you that inflation doesn’t matter, and they left hundreds of Americans to the mercies of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
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