Introduction
August Lee Pfluger II (/ˈfluːɡər/ FLOOG-ər; born December 28, 1978) is an American politician and retired military officer from the state of Texas. He is the U.S. representative for Texas's 11th congressional district. Pfluger succeeded fellow Republican Mike Conaway in 2021.
Early life and education
Pfluger's four-times-great-grandfather, Henry Pfluger Sr., founded Pflugerville, Texas. His maternal grandfather, a member of the United States Army Air Corps in World War II, inspired Pfluger to become a pilot.
Born in Harris County in 1977, Pfluger attended Central High School in San Angelo, Texas, where he played quarterback for the school's football team. He is an Eagle Scout. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the United States Air Force Academy. Pfluger then earned a Master of Science degree in aeronautical science from Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Science in military and operations science from Air University, and a Master of Science in international business and policy from Georgetown University.
Military service
Pfluger earned his commission to the United States Air Force in 2000. He served in active duty for 20 years, flying the F-15C Eagle and F-22A Raptor aircraft, reaching the rank of colonel. Pfluger later served on the United States National Security Council (NSC) during Donald Trump's presidency. He remained in the Air Force Reserve after leaving active duty. He also appeared briefly in the Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag IMAX film in 2004.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2020
Pfluger resigned from the NSC to run for the United States House of Representatives for Texas's 11th congressional district. Representative Mike Conaway, who had represented the district since its creation in 2005, was retiring after eight terms. Pfluger cleared 50% of the vote in a crowded 10-way Republican Party primary, He faced Democratic nominee Jon Mark Hogg and Libertarian Wacey Alpha Cody in the November general election.
Pfluger defeated Hogg in the general election.
Tenure
Pfluger took office on January 3, 2021. On January 6, the day of the storming of the United States Capitol, he and 146 of his fellow congressional Republicans voted to block certification of President-elect Joe Biden's 2020 victory, as part of the Trump-led effort to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election. Specifically, he voted against certifying Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electoral votes.
On July 18, 2023, he proposed a congressional non-binding resolution which stated that “the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state", that Congress rejects "all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia" and that “the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel." It passed with support from 217 Republicans and 195 Democrats, while eight Progressive Democrats (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, André Carson, Summer Lee, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Delia Ramirez) voted no, and Betty McCollum voted "present", while 11 other representatives chose not to vote.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Homeland Security
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
Caucus membership
- Republican Study Committee
Personal life
Pfluger and his wife, Camille, have three daughters. They live in San Angelo, Texas. His brother, Karl, is the president of an oil and energy company in Midland, Texas, and an investor in Truth Social.