Pfluger: Biden-Harris Foreign Policy Unleashes Chaos Globally

SAN ANGELO, TX – U.S. Representative August Pfluger, who represents Texas’ 11th District, criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s foreign policy, calling it a “weak” and dangerous strategy that has led to global instability.

In an opinion piece originally published, Rep. Pfluger highlighted several international crises, including the Afghanistan withdrawal, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, as consequences of what he describes as the administration’s “appeasement strategy.”

Pfluger argued that the Biden-Harris approach has emboldened adversaries, particularly in the Middle East. He pointed to Iran’s economic gains, specifically $90 billion in oil sales since President Biden took office, as evidence that the administration’s policies have strengthened Tehran’s position. According to Pfluger, the resumption of Obama-era policies by the current administration has allowed Iran to expand its influence and support for terrorist activities.

The congressman, who is also a former Air Force F-22 pilot, urged a reversal of these policies, advocating for the reimposition of maximum-pressure sanctions on Iran. He highlighted bipartisan efforts in Congress, including his own legislation, aimed at preventing the administration from lifting sanctions on Iran without Congressional approval. Pfluger emphasized that strong support for Israel and a firm stance against Iran are essential for maintaining stability in the Middle East.

Pfluger’s critique also touched on domestic issues, accusing the administration of being distracted by internal political concerns, which he claims has weakened the U.S.’s global standing. He called for a more robust and unwavering foreign policy to counteract the threats posed by adversaries like Iran and its proxies.

Rep. Pfluger’s statements come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with fears of an imminent strike on Israel by Iran and the potential for a broader regional conflict.

Here's the full transcript from the published article: 

In only three years, the Biden-Harris administration’s weak foreign policy decisions have emboldened our adversaries and led to numerous crises at home and abroad.

The Biden-Harris foreign policy strategy of appeasement has been a catastrophic failure, best illustrated by the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and Hamas’s attack on thousands of innocent Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023. To this day, Hamas is holding more than 100 hostages, including American citizens. Now, the world is bracing for an imminent strike on Israel by Iran and the possibility of an all-out war in the Middle East.

Blame for the chaos in the Middle East lies solely with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. There is no doubt that the White House’s resumption of Obama-era policies has enriched the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies. Under former President Donald Trump’s maximum pressure campaign, Iranian oil exports hit decade lows, and Iran and its proxies were weak. But under the Biden-Harris appeasement strategy, Iran has profited $90 billion in oil sales since Biden took office.

All the while, the feckless Biden-Harris administration was distracted with hiding an ailing president from the public eye and consumed with appeasing the vocal and increasingly influential pro-Palestinian faction of the Democratic Party. Our adversaries sensed weakness in this White House and took the opportunity to strike. To make matters worse, Biden and Harris have demonstrated further incompetence and weakness in their waffling support for Israel.

The Republican-led House of Representatives is working to undo the damage Biden and Harris have done by reinstating a maximum-pressure campaign and stopping Iran from accessing funds that could be used to unleash terrorism and spread violence. In April, the House passed my legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support to permanently freeze all Iranian-sanctioned assets and prohibit the president from using any waiver authority to lift sanctions.

I have also introduced legislation to empower Homeland Security Investigations to enforce Iranian oil sanctions. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would equip HSI with the tools needed to seize Iranian oil and cut off funding for terrorist proxies. As long as the funding streams remain, Iran’s war machine will continue.

Biden and Harris must reverse course on their appeasement strategy, terminate all waivers and licenses to Iranian oil sanctions, and show unwavering support for Israel as it confronts Iran and its proxies. Only then can the United States play a critical role in fostering peaceful relationships within the region.

August Pfluger is a U.S. representative for Texas and a former Air Force F-22 fighter pilot who flew nearly 300 combat hours in the Middle East.