August Lee Pfluger II (/ˈfluːɡər/ FLOO-gər; born December 28, 1977)[1] is an American politician and reserve military officer from the stateofTexas. He is the U.S. representative for Texas's 11th congressional district. Pfluger succeeded fellow Republican Mike Conaway in 2021.
August Pfluger
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 11th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Conaway |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August Lee Pfluger II (1977-12-28) December 28, 1977 (age 46) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Camille Cole |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | San Angelo, Texas, U.S. |
| Education |
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| Website | House website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Rank | Colonel |
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Pfluger's four-times-great-grandfather, German immigrant Henry Pfluger Sr. (1803–1867), founded Pflugerville, Texas.[2] His maternal grandfather, a member of the United States Army Air Corps in World War II, inspired Pfluger to become a pilot.[2]
Born in Harris County in 1977,[1] Pfluger attended Central High SchoolinSan Angelo, Texas, where he played quarterback for the school's football team.[3][4] He is an Eagle Scout.[5] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the United States Air Force Academy.[6] 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.[2]
Pfluger earned his commission to the United States Air Force in 2000.[2] 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.[7] He remained in the Air Force Reserve after leaving active duty.[8] He also appeared briefly in the Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag IMAX film in 2004.
Pfluger resigned from the NSC to run for the United States House of Representatives for Texas's 11th congressional district.[9] 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, enough to win the nomination in a single round.[10][11] He faced Democratic nominee Jon Mark Hogg and Libertarian Wacey Alpha Cody in the November general election. However, with Republicans having a nearly 10-to-1 registration advantage in the district, Pfluger was heavily favored to win in November.[2]
As expected, Pfluger easily defeated Hogg in the general election.[12][13]
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.[14] Specifically, he voted against certifying Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electoral votes.[15]
In August 2021, Business Insider reported that Pfluger had violated the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012, a federal transparency and conflict-of-interest law, by failing to properly disclose stock trades made by him or his wife worth between $10,007 and $150,000.[16]
On July 18, 2023, he proposed a congressional non-binding resolution which stated that “the State of Israel is not a racistorapartheid 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.[17]
In March 2024, Pfluger, representative Don Davis, and a news reporter wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Examiner. The piece criticized the push by many members of Congress to condition U.S. aid to Israel.[18]
The PACT ACT which expanded VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service, received a "nay" from Pfluger.[19] Regarding cannabis, despite lobbying from VSOs such as the DAV[20] Pfluger also voted against 2022 MORE Act.[21][22]
Pfluger and his wife, Camille, have three daughters.[6][5] They live in San Angelo, Texas.[25] His brother, Karl, is the president of an oil and energy company in Midland, Texas, and an investor in Truth Social.[26]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 11th congressional district January 3, 2021–present |
Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 332nd |
Succeeded by |