Congressman August Pfluger, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, criticized Democrats on Mar. 25 for what he described as repeated failures to prioritize national security during a full committee hearing about the effects of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
The hearing focused on how the DHS shutdown has affected agency operations and personnel at a time when threats to national security are heightened. Leaders from four DHS components—U.S. Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Federal Emergency Management Agency—testified about operational strains resulting from funding lapses.
In his opening remarks, Pfluger said: “Mr. Chairman, the reason we’re here is because we didn’t have a single hearing on border security while the ranking member was the chairman in 2021 and 2022. Not a single hearing. And yet, 10 million people were let in under President Joe Biden.” He continued: “Where were the cries when Jocelyn Nungaray was murdered? Where were the video cameras when Laken Riley was brutally murdered? We don’t have those. They didn’t get that. That’s why we’re here.” Pfluger further stated: “We’re here because we’re cleaning up a mess that is on a level and on a scale that is unfathomable… President Trump has had to clean up a mess that is on a scale that was unthinkable.” He also referenced fentanyl deaths and criticized Democratic colleagues for not attending border hearings or standing with victims’ families.
Pfluger currently represents Texas’ 11th district in Congress after succeeding Mike Conaway in 2021 according to Ballotpedia. In his first election victory in 2020, he defeated Jon Mark Hogg by securing nearly eighty percent of votes as reported by The Texas Tribune.
Pfluger has served as representative since taking office in January 2021 according to his official biography. Born in Houston in 1978, he now lives in San Angelo at age forty-four according to congressional records.
As discussions continue over funding for homeland security agencies amid ongoing political disagreements, lawmakers remain divided over solutions addressing border issues and agency resources.