Press ReleaseNeutral2026-04-17

Pfluger Fly-By: April 17, 2026

TaxesEnvironmentDefenseTradeSocial SecurityLabor

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This press release from Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) was published on 2026-04-17 and titled "Pfluger Fly-By: April 17, 2026". It focuses on taxes and touches on the environment, defense.

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Pfluger Fly-By: April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026 Friend, Welcome back to the Pfluger Fly-By, a weekly roundup of the work I am doing to represent you and our communities in Congress. It was a great week back in Washington, where I had my 9th bill pass the U.S. House of Representatives this term. In addition, I highlighted the Abilene Christian University and Natura Resources molten salt research reactor in a hearing with Energy Secretary Chris Wright, advocated for prioritizing air power in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and met with Texans visiting our nation's capital. This week also marked Tax Day, and this year, I hope you were able to experience some of the many benefits from the Republican-led Working Families Tax Cuts. I was proud to support this legislation, signed into law by President Trump last July, to help you keep more of your hard-earned money. I was also proud to vote for a resolution expressing support for tax policies that benefit hardworking American families. Below, you'll find highlights, including pictures, in-depth updates, and information on how my office can help you with any federal concerns. As always, my team and I are here to serve you. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance. Best, House Passes FENCES Act This week's passage of my FENCES Act is a win for American businesses and workers who have been unfairly penalized for pollution beyond their control. This legislation reins in government overreach and clarifies the standards of the Clean Air Act. By ensuring that foreign emissions and natural events, such as wildfires, are not counted against air monitoring data, the legislation brings long-overdue fairness and certainty to the permitting process. This means fewer delays, lower costs for consumers, and more confidence for businesses looking to invest and create jobs. The FENCES Act is a practical, commonsense fix that protects our economy and the integrity of our air quality standards. Watch my floor remarks in support of the FENCES Act here or by clicking on the image below. Message to Texas-11 on Tax Day Wednesday marked Tax Day. This year, I was proud to highlight the results we delivered for you through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act — legislation I supported and President Trump signed into law to help you keep more of your hard-earned money. Here's what House Republicans delivered through the Working Families Tax Cuts: · No tax on tips or overtime · $6,000 bonus deduction on Social Security benefits for eligible seniors · Expanded small business tax breaks · Enhanced standard deduction and lowered tax rates at every income bracket · Expanded Child Tax Credit and increased access to the Adoption Tax Credit · Created Trump Accounts for America's children · $10,000 deduction on auto loan interest for vehicles made in the United States · Doubled the death tax exemption of $15 million per individual Watch a short video where I walk through the provisions here or by clicking on the image below. Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing with Energy Secretary Chris Wright During a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing with Energy Secretary Chris Wright this week, I was proud to highlight the cutting-edge molten salt research reactor at Abilene Christian University. Developed in partnership with Natura Resources, this project represents a next-generation approach to nuclear energy that can help scale affordable, dispatchable power and support produced water desalination efforts in drought-prone regions like West Texas. Secretary Wright pointed out what we already know in TX-11, that this project is an example of the innovation driving what he described as a sign of the coming American "nuclear renaissance." I was also grateful to commend the Secretary for his work at the DOE thus far, and discuss the importance of continued collaboration between Congress and the DOE to support projects like this, streamline the permitting process, and strengthen domestic energy production. We also discussed growing concerns about energy supply and reliability in coastal states, particularly California and parts of the Northeast, where restrictive policies have contributed to declining in-state production and refining capacity. Fortunately, in Texas, we take a different approach. Supporting domestic production and refining allows us to provide reliable, affordable energy and help meet demand across the country. Watch my full exchange with the Secretary here or by clicking the image below. Advocating for Air Power in the Upcoming NDAA This week, I also participated in the House Armed Services Committee's Member Day hearing to sound the alarm and deliver a call to action for the Air Force to be a priority in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — the annual legislative vehicle that funds and authorizes the policies, programs, and spending for the Department of War. Currently, the U.S. Air Force is the oldest and smallest it has ever been, yet it is the most tasked

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Pfluger Fly-By: April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 Friend, Welcome back to the Pfluger Fly-By, a weekly roundup of the work I am doing to represent you and our communities in Congress. It was a great week back in Washington, where I had my 9th bill pass the U.S. House of Representatives this term. In addition, I highlighted the Abilene Christian University and Natura Resources molten salt research reactor in a hearing with Energy Secretary Chris Wright, advocated for prioritizing air power in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and met with Texans visiting our nation's capital. This week also marked Tax Day, and this year, I hope you were able to experience some of the many benefits from the Republican-led Working Families Tax Cuts. I was proud to support this legislation, signed into law by President Trump last July, to help you keep more of your hard-earned money. I was also proud to vote for a resolution expressing support for tax policies that benefit hardworking American families. Below, you'll find highlights, including pictures, in-depth updates, and information on how my office can help you with any federal concerns. As always, my team and I are here to serve you. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance. Best, House Passes FENCES Act This week's passage of my FENCES Act is a win for American businesses and workers who have been unfairly penalized for pollution beyond their control. This legislation reins in government overreach and clarifies the standards of the Clean Air Act. By ensuring that foreign emissions and natural events, such as wildfires, are not counted against air monitoring data, the legislation brings long-overdue fairness and certainty to the permitting process. This means fewer delays, lower costs for consumers, and more confidence for businesses looking to invest and create jobs. The FENCES Act is a practical, commonsense fix that protects our economy and the integrity of our air quality standards. Watch my floor remarks in support of the FENCES Act here or by clicking on the image below. Message to Texas-11 on Tax Day Wednesday marked Tax Day. This year, I was proud to highlight the results we delivered for you through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act — legislation I supported and President Trump signed into law to help you keep more of your hard-earned money. Here's what House Republicans delivered through the Working Families Tax Cuts: · No tax on tips or overtime · $6,000 bonus deduction on Social Security benefits for eligible seniors · Expanded small business tax breaks · Enhanced standard deduction and lowered tax rates at every income bracket · Expanded Child Tax Credit and increased access to the Adoption Tax Credit · Created Trump Accounts for America's children · $10,000 deduction on auto loan interest for vehicles made in the United States · Doubled the death tax exemption of $15 million per individual Watch a short video where I walk through the provisions here or by clicking on the image below. Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing with Energy Secretary Chris Wright During a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing with Energy Secretary Chris Wright this week, I was proud to highlight the cutting-edge molten salt research reactor at Abilene Christian University. Developed in partnership with Natura Resources, this project represents a next-generation approach to nuclear energy that can help scale affordable, dispatchable power and support produced water desalination efforts in drought-prone regions like West Texas. Secretary Wright pointed out what we already know in TX-11, that this project is an example of the innovation driving what he described as a sign of the coming American "nuclear renaissance." I was also grateful to commend the Secretary for his work at the DOE thus far, and discuss the importance of continued collaboration between Congress and the DOE to support projects like this, streamline the permitting process, and strengthen domestic energy production. We also discussed growing concerns about energy supply and reliability in coastal states, particularly California and parts of the Northeast, where restrictive policies have contributed to declining in-state production and refining capacity. Fortunately, in Texas, we take a different approach. Supporting domestic production and refining allows us to provide reliable, affordable energy and help meet demand across the country. Watch my full exchange with the Secretary here or by clicking the image below. Advocating for Air Power in the Upcoming NDAA This week, I also participated in the House Armed Services Committee's Member Day hearing to sound the alarm and deliver a call to action for the Air Force to be a priority in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — the annual legislative vehicle that funds and authorizes the policies, programs, and spending for the Department of War. Currently, the U.S. Air Force is the oldest and smallest it has ever been, yet it is the most tasked