August Pfluger

August Pfluger
Born	August Lee Pfluger 28 12, 1977
Birthplace	Harris County, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Template:Flatlist
Title	Chair of the Republican Study Committee
Known for	U.S. Representative for Texas's 11th congressional district
Education	United States Air Force Academy (BS)
Spouse(s)	Camille Cole
Children	3
Awards	Air Medal (with 3 oak leaf clusters)
Website	[pfluger.house.gov Official site]

August Lee Pfluger (Template:IPAc-en; born December 28, 1977) is an American politician and United States Air Force officer who has served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 11th congressional district since January 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Pfluger represents a vast swath of West Texas, succeeding longtime congressman Mike Conaway. Before entering politics, Pfluger had a two-decade career as an Air Force fighter pilot, achieving the rank of colonel and accumulating extensive combat experience in the Middle East. He served on the National Security Council during the Trump administration, an experience that shaped his transition into public service. In the 118th Congress and continuing into the 119th Congress, Pfluger has served on the Committee on Homeland Security and has focused on issues related to border security, energy policy, and critical infrastructure protection. In January 2025, Pfluger became Chair of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early Life

August Lee Pfluger was born on December 28, 1977, in Harris County, Texas. He grew up in San Angelo, Texas, a mid-sized city in the heart of West Texas that would later become a central part of the congressional district he represents. Pfluger attended San Angelo Central High School, where he was a prominent student-athlete, playing on the school's football team as a quarterback.

Pfluger's high school years coincided with a significant community controversy that drew national media attention. In 1995, during his time on the San Angelo Central High School football team, a quarterback controversy arose that brought issues of race relations in the West Texas community into the public spotlight. The situation was significant enough to warrant coverage by The Washington Post, which examined how the quarterback change "puts racial issue under West Texas stadium lights." Pfluger later reflected on the 1995 football controversy during his 2020 congressional campaign, discussing the experience publicly with local media in San Angelo.

Pfluger's roots in San Angelo and West Texas would remain central to his identity throughout his military career and subsequent political life. His family's long-standing connections to the region informed his eventual decision to seek the congressional seat representing the area, and he frequently emphasized his West Texas upbringing during campaign appearances.

Education

After graduating from San Angelo Central High School, Pfluger attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he earned a bachelor's degree. The Air Force Academy appointment set the course for Pfluger's two-decade military career. His education at the Academy prepared him for service as a fighter pilot and provided the foundation for his later ascent through the ranks of the Air Force officer corps.

Career

Military Service

Pfluger was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force in 2000 and served on active duty for twenty years, from 2000 to 2020. During his active-duty career, he served as a fighter pilot and accumulated significant combat experience. Pfluger flew combat missions in the Middle East and was decorated for his service, receiving the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, among other military awards.

Over the course of his military career, Pfluger rose to the rank of colonel. He held command positions, including command of the 380th Expeditionary Operations Group, a unit within the Air Force's expeditionary force structure responsible for air operations in the Central Command area of responsibility.

A notable chapter in Pfluger's military career came when he was assigned to the White House to serve on the National Security Council during the administration of President Donald Trump. In this role, Pfluger worked on national security policy issues, gaining experience at the intersection of military affairs and civilian governance. His service on the NSC was later confirmed by multiple sources during his 2020 congressional campaign, with reports noting that he served "with distinction" on the council.

After transitioning off active duty in 2020, Pfluger continued his military service in the Air Force Reserve, maintaining his connection to the military while pursuing his political career.

Entry into Politics

In September 2019, Pfluger announced his candidacy for Texas's 11th congressional district, which had been represented by Republican Mike Conaway since 2005. Conaway had announced he would not seek re-election, creating an open-seat race in the heavily Republican district. Pfluger launched his campaign with a tour across the sprawling West Texas district, emphasizing his military background, his roots in the region, and his ties to the Trump administration through his NSC service.

The 2020 Republican primary for the 11th District was a crowded affair, drawing a large field of candidates seeking to succeed Conaway in the safely Republican seat. Pfluger was able to distinguish himself in the multi-candidate field, drawing on his military credentials and his connection to the Trump White House. Pfluger overcame the large GOP field to win the Republican primary, securing the nomination in what amounted to the decisive contest in the district.

In the November 2020 general election, Pfluger won the seat in the 11th District, which encompasses much of the Permian Basin oil-producing region and other West Texas communities. He took office on January 3, 2021, succeeding Conaway as the representative for Texas's 11th congressional district.

Congressional Tenure

Committee Assignments and Early Work

Upon taking office in January 2021, Pfluger was assigned to the House Committee on Homeland Security, a post that aligned with his national security background from his military career and his time on the NSC. The committee assignment positioned him to work on issues including border security, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism, all priorities he had campaigned on.

Pfluger's early tenure in Congress was marked by the events of January 6, 2021, just three days after he was sworn in. In the broader context of the debate over certification of the 2020 presidential election results, Texas's congressional delegation was closely watched. Some members of the Texas delegation, including Senator Ted Cruz, were involved in efforts to challenge the Electoral College results.

Legislative Priorities

Throughout his congressional tenure, Pfluger has focused on several core legislative areas, including energy policy, border security, and infrastructure protection. Representing a district that is home to the Permian Basin, one of the most productive oil and gas regions in the United States, energy policy has been a central focus of his legislative work.

In December 2025, Pfluger introduced legislation aimed at protecting critical American infrastructure. The bill sought to enhance the security of vital national assets and reflected Pfluger's ongoing work on the Homeland Security Committee.

Pfluger has also been active in securing federal funding for projects in his district. In February 2026, his office announced that he had secured over $20 million for Texas's 11th District through Community Funding Projects, directing federal resources to local priorities across the sprawling West Texas district.

At the close of 2025, Pfluger released a comprehensive annual report detailing what he described as "a record-breaking year" of accomplishments for the 11th District, summarizing his legislative work and constituent services for the year.

Chair of the Republican Study Committee

In January 2025, Pfluger assumed the chairmanship of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), the largest conservative caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding Representative Kevin Hern of Oklahoma in the role. The RSC chairmanship is considered a significant leadership position within the House Republican Conference, as the caucus serves as the policy arm of House conservatives and has historically been a stepping stone to higher leadership positions. Under Pfluger's leadership, the RSC has continued to develop and promote conservative policy proposals on a wide range of issues.

Constituent Engagement

Pfluger has maintained an active schedule of constituent engagement across his geographically large district. In early 2026, he hosted community town halls in cities such as Ballinger, Texas, meeting with constituents to discuss federal issues and hear local concerns. He has also been active in sharing his Air Force experiences with constituents and local media as part of his broader public engagement efforts.

Air Force Academy Board of Visitors

In addition to his legislative work, Pfluger has been involved with the United States Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, reflecting his continued connection to his alma mater and the military. In February 2026, the Board of Visitors released a comprehensive report, which Pfluger highlighted publicly.

Policy Positions

In February 2026, Pfluger authored an opinion piece in USA Today in which he expressed support for "Trump Accounts," a proposal to invest $1,000 in the stock market for every child born in the United States. In the piece, Pfluger argued that the program would give the next generation "a stake in this booming economy."

Pfluger has also highlighted provisions of tax legislation, releasing information for constituents about benefits available under the "Working Families Tax Cuts" during the 2026 tax filing season.

Personal Life

August Pfluger is married to Camille Cole. The couple has three children. The Pfluger family has maintained ties to the San Angelo, Texas, area, which is the central hub of his congressional district.

Pfluger continues to serve in the Air Force Reserve as a colonel, maintaining his military affiliation alongside his congressional duties. His dual role as a sitting member of Congress and a Reserve officer reflects a pattern seen among several members of Congress who maintain military reserve or National Guard service while holding elected office.

Recognition

Military Honors

During his twenty-year active-duty career and subsequent Reserve service, Pfluger received multiple military decorations. His most notable award is the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, recognizing meritorious achievement during aerial flight in combat operations. The Air Medal with multiple oak leaf clusters indicates repeated recognition for aerial combat service.

Political Leadership

Pfluger's election as Chair of the Republican Study Committee in 2025 represented a significant recognition of his standing within the House Republican Conference. The RSC chairmanship places him among the leadership tier of House Republicans, and the position has historically been held by members who are seen as rising figures within the party.

Congressional Accomplishments

In his 2025 annual report, Pfluger highlighted what he characterized as a record year of legislative accomplishments and constituent services for the 11th District of Texas, including securing significant federal funding for community projects across the district.