ODESSA, Texas — Congressman August Pfluger hosted Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan at a town hall in Odessa.
At the town hall, people were able to gain insight on the big decisions being made on Capitol Hill and how they have an impact in West Texas.
"One thing about bringing somebody like Jim Jordan, who is a national figure, I think it shows how much influence August Pfluger, our local congressman from the Permian Basin, has in Washington," said Brooks Landgraf, state representative, District 81.
Representative Landgraf was among the many attendees at the town hall Wednesday in Odessa. There were many talking points during the meeting like Senate Bill 4, which would allow law enforcement to arrest anybody they suspect came into the United States illegally.
"What they have done at the border clearly is not protecting American citizens," said Kevin Sparks, state senator. "We've had millions of illegals across the border. You know, we want to be and want to continue to be a nation that opens its arms to people across the world. But we believe that they need to come here legally."
Another big talking point was the importance of voter ID laws like those in Texas, ensuring that all voters have to provide a photo ID before casting a ballot.
"You want to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat," Representative Landgraf said. "And I think having the the voter ID requirement is important, but also want to make sure that everybody has the chance to get a photo ID. If you're a registered voter, you know we want to protect that integrity, but we also want to make sure that everybody who has the right to vote can vote. And it's clear what they really would like is for the oil and gas industry to go away. What they're not telling the American citizens is we don't have a replacement energy for oil and gas at this point."
The biggest talking point of them all was oil and gas regulations, decisions that effect the Permian Basin's economy in massive ways.
"It's clear what they really would like is for the oil and gas industry to go away," Senator Sparks said. "What they're not telling the American citizens is we don't have a replacement energy for oil and gas at this point."
What this town hall did was bring the federal conversation into the Permian Basin, which is something West Texans greatly appreciate.
"It's important that our communities are engaged because leaders like Representative Pfluger and Chairman Jordan need to hear feedback from those people, if they're going to legislate," Senator Sparks said. "If they're going to legislate on behalf of their constituents, they need to understand how the constituents view their issues."
"Texas operates a little bit differently than Washington, DC and we aim to keep it that way," Representative Landgraf said. "But we do have a little bit more unity in our government and that does help, it's also a reflection of the people of Texas."
Both Senator Sparks and Representative Landgraf spoke highly on how Chairman Jordan was able to effectively speak on multiple issues that affect the entire country. They hope that conversations like this continue and inspire real change for West Texans.