Latest news with #AugustPfluger
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Rising antisemitic violence, terror attacks in US spur House Homeland Security Committee hearing
EXCLUSIVE: A GOP lawmaker on the House's Homeland Security Committee is spearheading a hearing on growing antisemitic violence in the U.S. in response to recent attacks in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. These attacks are not outliers, according to the chairman of the committee's counterterrorism and intelligence subcommittee, Rep. August Pfluger of Texas. He has scheduled a hearing for June 11 to examine the rise of anti-Israel terrorist attacks within the American homeland. "From harassment of Jewish students and calls to 'Globalize the Intifada,' to arson against the Jewish governor of Pennsylvania and the cold-blooded execution of two young Israeli Embassy staffers in our nation's capital – the heinous attack in Boulder this Sunday is part of a disturbing pattern, not an isolated incident," Pfluger said in a Wednesday statement to Fox News Digital. "Antisemitic violence and harassment will not, and cannot, remain unchecked in the United States of America – whether it's on college campuses or in our communities." "In the wake of the foreign policy failures and open-border policies of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with state and local law enforcement, must be prepared to meet the moment as we face an increasingly complex threat landscape at home and abroad," he said. "Congress must ensure the United States remains a bastion of freedom for all, and that our Jewish neighbors can live free from hatred and persecution." Among those who will appear at the hearing is Kerry Sleeper, the deputy director for intelligence and information sharing with the Secure Community Network. The group is the largest Jewish security organization in North America. Sleeper oversees its 24/7 operations of the National Jewish Security Operations Command Center, which coordinates intelligence with agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI. Pfluger has previously sounded the alarm about antisemitic violence and other terror threats that jeopardize the safety of U.S. citizens. For example, he reintroduced legislation in February, known as the Countering Online Radicalization and Terrorism Act, which would require DHS to conduct assessments each year evaluating the threat terrorist groups like ISIS and Hamas pose to the U.S. through the use of foreign cloud-based mobile or desktop messaging applications. The measure has received bipartisan support, and Democratic Rep. Jimmy Panetta of California is a co-sponsor. Pfluger's hearing comes not long after a gunman opened fire and killed two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington in May. A pro-Palestinian man, identified as 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was arrested in connection with the case, according to authorities. Likewise, Sunday's terrorist attack in Colorado left a dozen people injured – including a Holocaust survivor – during an event organized by Run for Their Lives, a grassroots group that holds events urging the release of Israeli hostages. The suspect in the attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, first entered the U.S. under the Biden administration and had overstayed his visa, multiple Department of Homeland Security sources first told Fox News. Soliman, 45, allegedly yelled "Free Palestine" and used a makeshift flamethrower to conduct that attack, according to law enforcement officials. Lawmakers and intelligence experts have long warned about foreign terrorists entering the U.S. and conducting attacks against American citizens. For example, Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, then-chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, R-Tenn., warned of such terror threats in August 2024, following the release of a report from House Judiciary Committee Republicans that determined the Biden administration released nearly 100 illegal immigrants on the terrorist watch list. "Since the Biden-Harris Administration's failed open border policies have welcomed potential terrorists into our nation, we're working to combat these threats and safeguard Americans in their own backyards," Turner and Green said in a joint statement in August 2024 in response to the report. The FBI has voiced similar concerns. "I have warned for some time now about the threat that foreign terrorists may seek to exploit our southwest border or some other port of entry to advance a plot against Americans," former FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee in April 2024. "Just last month, for instance, the Bureau and our joint terrorism task forces worked with ICE in multiple cities across the country as several individuals with suspected international terrorist ties were arrested using ICE's immigration authorities."
Fox News
2 days ago
- General
- Fox News
House GOP unveils resolution to condemn Boulder terror attack, call for mass deportation of overstayed visas
FIRST ON FOX: House Republicans are unveiling a new resolution to condemn the Boulder, Colorado, terror attack against a pro-Israel demonstration over the weekend. The resolution would call for the deportation of people who overstay their visas in the U.S., as was allegedly the case with the attacker. The legislation is being led by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., who is Jewish, and Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, chair of the 189-member-strong Republican Study Committee. A man identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly threw Molotov cocktails and used a "makeshift flamethrower" to set peaceful pro-Israel activists on fire Sunday, according to officials. He allegedly yelled, "Free Palestine," while committing the attack. Officials have since said Soliman was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the attack. The Trump administration said he and his family will now be deported. "This is not an issue that just affects me as a congressman. It affects me as a father of two Jewish boys who now have to ask themselves if they're safe in their own country," Fine told Fox News Digital. "I'm going to lead this resolution, but this is the last thing in Congress I do that is going to be just talking. After this, it's going to be all action." Pfluger told Fox News Digital, "The antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder that targeted 12 innocent Americans, including a Holocaust survivor, could have been prevented if Mohamed Sabry Soliman hadn't been allowed to illegally overstay his visa by the Biden administration." The Texas Republican warned of a "pattern" of violence against Jews in the U.S., citing the recent attack as well as the deadly shooting outside a Jewish museum in Washington and the attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home. Their bill text noted there was a Holocaust survivor among those who were hurt in the attack. It also said the attack "comes amidst an alarming rise in antisemitic violence sweeping the United States." The resolution would condemn the Boulder attack and also "condemns antisemitism in all its forms, and expresses grave concern about the rise in antisemitic behavior and actions reported across college campuses, online, and in other public spaces." On people like Soliman, the resolution "urges Congress to take immediate action to secure the border and deport migrants who overstay their visas." While the aforementioned provision will likely turn off some Democrats, the measure could get bipartisan support if it hits the House floor. Both Republicans and Democrats condemned the heinous attack over the weekend. Soliman has been hit with multiple charges, including murder in the first degree, though no fatalities have been announced by police.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Abbott responds to Pfluger's work on securing Texas reimbursements
May 22—WASHINGTON, D.C. — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released the following statement in response to the $12 billion in border reimbursements for states that stepped up, including Texas, that Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and others fought to secure in the One Big Beautiful Bill. "Texas thanks the U.S. House and the Texas Congressional Delegation for including $12 billion in the reconciliation package that will help Texas in its response to the unprecedented illegal immigration in Texas," Abbott said in a news release. "This is a national issue that Texas was proud to address, and we are grateful for the allocation that reduces the financial burden that Texas incurred." "The devastating impact of the previous administration's open border policies has been felt nationwide — but no state has carried the burden more than Texas. Texas spent $11.1 billion on border security, including $5.87 billion on personnel costs and $4.75 billion on border wall and barriers. When the federal government failed to secure our border and protect our communities, Texans stepped up. Throughout my time in Congress, I've fought tirelessly to get our state the reimbursements it's owed, and now, that fight is finally paying off," said Pfluger. Texas had to take on a massive financial burden to protect our communities when the previous administration failed to do so. Throughout his time in Congress, Pfluger has fought to reimburse Texas for securing the southern border, including: — American Border Rescue Plan Act (2021) — This bill would allow state and local governments to use stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan to cover the costs of border security. — Lone Star Reimbursement Act (2022) — This bill aimed to pay the State of Texas back for the costs of Operation Lone Star incurred in FY21 and FY22, which total $1.43 billion. — Co-led with Rep. Fallon — Letter to President Biden to reimburse Texas/meeting request (2023) — Pfluger-led letter signed by all Republican members of the Texas Delegation — FY24, FY25, and FY26 Appropriations Requests (2023, 2024, 2025) — FY24: Led a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to reimburse Texas for $5.1 billion. — FY25: Led a letter with 18 signers urging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to reimburse Texas $11.26 billion. — FY26: Led a letter with 19 signers urging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to reimburse Texas $11.2 billion. — Efforts to Reimburse Texas through Supplemental Funding Vehicle — Although the measure failed, Pfluger led the charge on including Texas reimbursement through supplemental funding packages in the spring of 2024. — Pfluger has also consigned H.R. 424 and H.R. 1222, and H.R. 3464 to reimburse Texas.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Power The Future recognizes Pfluger as April 2025 Energy Champion
May 21—WASHINGTON, D.C. — Power The Future is proud to announce Congressman August Pfluger is their April 2025 Energy Champion. Congressman Pfluger demonstrates unwavering commitment to American energy dominance and served as the leading voice to repeal the Biden Administration's natural gas tax. His work delivered a significant victory for American energy workers and working families. His leadership continues to reinforce the importance of affordable and reliable energy as the cornerstone of national and economic strength, a news release said. "Congressman Pfluger not only stood against the flood of attacks and incompetence that was the Biden Administration and the green movement, he also masterfully repealed the natural gas tax within the first 100 days of the new administration," said Daniel Turner, Founder and Executive Director for Power The Future. "Congressman Pfluger understands that energy isn't just policy-it's people. We need more leaders with his common sense and his courage."
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
CHS senior wins 2025 Congressional Art Competition
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A senior of San Angelo's Central High School was announced as the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition in Texas' 11th Congressional District by United States Rep. August Pfluger. According to the Office of August Pfluger, senior Korbin Jastrow was selected as the competition's winner for her art, titled 'The Exception.' Her artwork is now set to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building for the next year. Pfluger commented on the results of this year's competition, stating that Jastrow's work showcased the 'spirit of West Texas' and the colors of the Hill Country. 'For yet another year, I was completely blown away by the talent and creativity of so many art submissions from students across TX-11,' Pfluger said. 'While it was hard to select a winner from all the incredible entries, in a blind selection process, the committee picked Ms. Jastrow's piece 'The Exception' because of its unique take on Texas agriculture, as well as its incorporation of our beloved Texas wildflowers. It's a great combination of multiple parts of the district – embodying the rugged, agriculture-centric spirit of West Texas and the lush, colorful brightness of the Texas Hill Country, both of which I am honored to represent.' Jastrow explained the creation process for her art in her submission. 'The cow was drawn with pencil, then stamped with handmade stamps representing the Indian paintbrush and bluebonnets,' Jastrow said in the submission. 'The background was done with acrylic paint, and the shadows behind the cow were done with tissue paper.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
