U.S. Reps. Bill Flores and Michael McCaul, whose districts both include parts of Travis County, spoke to city officials, business owners and residents at a Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce luncheon Aug. 13.

Before a question-and-answer session, the congressmen addressed the issues they expect to face as Congress reconvenes in September.

Among other issues, Flores spoke on the national budget and deficit. During his tenure, Flores said he has worked to bring the yearly national deficit down and worked on a proposed budget for the next fiscal year that also seeks to balance the budget during the next 10 years and fix issues with Medicare and Medicaid.

"The deficits are down from when I first got elected ... [but the deficit is] still a hefty percentage of [the gross domestic product] and something we need to get our arms around," Flores said.

McCaul, who serves as chairman for the House Committee on Homeland Security, discussed efforts to reduce foreign threats on the United States, including curbing possible terrorist groups in Yemen and securing the United States' southern border.

"When you look at the reality of the threat, it's very real," McCaul said. "I will defend that our position is getting weaker globally."

McCaul was first elected to Congress in 2005 and is serving his fifth term. Flores was elected in 2010 and is serving his second term.