Pfluger Presides Over Feisty Town Hall in San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX – A vocal crowd packed the Tom Green County Commissioners’ Court Meeting Room on Monday as U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) held a town hall.

Pfluger recognized Tom Green County, the City of San Angelo, and several volunteer fire departments for their work during the recent flood disaster, presenting certificates to leaders including County Judge Lane Carter, Mayor Tom Thompson and several volunteer fire chiefs. 

Pfluger credited local and state officials for their quick response, noting that United Way of the Concho Valley Director Kamryn Cummings had a resource center set up at PaulAnn Baptist Church within four hours of the flood.

The atmosphere of the meeting quickly changed, however, once the question-and-answer session began.

One audience member questioned whether FEMA money was being redirected away from flood victims in San Angelo to help fund “Alligator Alcatraz,” a detention center for illegal immigrants in Florida that she called a concentration camp. 

Pfluger said the claim was “categorically false,” adding that the funds aren’t connected, and that funds designated for flood victims in San Angelo are headed toward the intended people.

Questions about border security drew the most heated exchanges, and there were numerous outbursts and interruptions throughout the event as Pfluger tried to keep the peace.

He defended policies requiring tighter border enforcement, citing figures on illegal crossings and individuals on the terror watch list.

One man said he was the son of an illegal immigrant, who eventually became legal, and he said all of his father’s children went on to become contributing citizens.

“What I hear from you is how immigrants are just killers and rapists… why don’t we acknowledge the other people who come over here and say, you guys did a good job,” he said.

The man, who said he would likely run against Pfluger in the next election, later got up and walked out of the meeting, stating he would no longer put up with Pfluger’s lies as the congressman was detailing new Medicaid changes.

Health care changes were a major topic. Pfluger said new work requirements for Medicaid recipients would not reduce services for children, the elderly, pregnant women or people with disabilities in Texas. He said the Texas Hospital Association supported the legislation and that “not a single facility should close.”

As audience members interrupted and disputed some of Pfluger’s statements, he acknowledged the contentious atmosphere. 

“What I love about this country is that you can get an elected official up here … and you can say whatever you want. That’s beautiful,” he said.

The discussion also touched on tariffs, taxes on tips, and other provisions of recently passed legislation. Pfluger highlighted new tax benefits for service industry workers and small-business owners while fielding skeptical comments from attendees.

The town hall ended with Pfluger urging civility and mutual respect, even amid political disagreements. He then departed for Goodfellow Air Force Base to meet with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was visiting the base to review its intelligence training mission.

“This is a feisty crowd. I like it. That’s what makes San Angelo great," he said. "Let’s tone down the way we speak to each other … you don’t see me in Washington, D.C., calling people names.”