by RJ Morales | TX3DNews
ALLEN, Texas — Rep. Keith Self’s (R-TX-03) Saturday morning town hall in Allen moved through a broad set of issues, beginning with his remarks on Sharia-related legislation and later turning to questions on health-care costs, veterans’ caregiving cuts, and other policy concerns raised by residents.
Sharia Framed as a Local Concern
Self devoted a significant portion of the town hall to Sharia-related legislation, noting that he had recently spoken on the topic at a local event and planned to deliver a five-minute speech on the House floor. He described Sharia as “a culture… a civilization with the patina of religion on the top” that “tends to dominate every culture that it enters.”
He outlined several measures he supports, including proposals to bar Sharia from having any effect in U.S. courts, revoke tax-exempt status from certain nonprofits, require foreign nationals considered “adherent of Sharia” to leave the country, and designate specific imams as global terrorists for issuing fatwas against former President Trump.
The discussion drew one of the morning’s more direct exchanges when an attendee urged officials to “ban hijabs” and said Muslims had “declared Texas as their Mecca.” Self responded to the legislative request portion of the question, saying related legislation was already being developed in Congress and that lawmakers were “developing a list” of additional measures.
Self also asserted that families from parts of Michigan he described as “conquered” were being moved into North Texas. No substantiating information was offered, and the comment did not receive follow-up questions.
Another attendee later asked whether the broader discussion could create safety concerns for Muslim families in the district. Self restated his concerns about Sharia but did not address how proposed federal actions might affect Muslim U.S. citizens or long-time residents of North Texas.
Transparency and the Epstein Files (Brief Update)
Self also discussed his position on the effort to release the Jeffrey Epstein client files. He said he supports the discharge petition that recently reached the required 218 signatures, clearing the way for a House vote. When asked why he did not add his name to the petition, despite co-sponsoring an earlier version of the bill, Self responded that he believed the petition would succeed without his signature. He noted that he prefers a separate committee-driven version he says includes additional safeguards.
Since the event, both chambers have passed the measure, and former President Donald Trump has signed it into law. Agencies responsible for the documents are now tasked with carrying out the public-release provisions.
Health-Care Affordability and ACA Subsidies
A significant portion of constituent questions focused on health-care costs, particularly the upcoming expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies on December 31. Several residents noted that premiums are expected to rise sharply in January for many Collin County households.
Self called the issue “the concern of the day” and outlined long-term goals supported by House Republicans, including expanded use of health savings accounts, reforms to pharmacy benefit managers, and broader efforts to reduce administrative and regulatory costs. He noted that no comprehensive replacement framework for the expiring subsidies has yet been finalized in the new Congress, and no short-term plan has been identified to cushion the immediate financial impact on families.
“I just don’t have the answer yet. Nobody does,” he said. He added that proposals being discussed within the House Freedom Caucus are still in early negotiation stages and may not be released publicly while internal talks continue. Self acknowledged that this limited transparency is “frustrating” for constituents awaiting guidance.
Veterans’ Caregiving Cuts
A resident whose father is a 100-percent-disabled Air Force veteran raised concerns about reductions in approved caregiver hours — a cut from 58 hours per week to 13 under recent reassessments. Self called the situation “a real issue” and said the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee is reviewing similar cases.
He did not provide a specific timeline or expected remedy, stating only that the committee “has been and is working on it.” After the town hall concluded, members of Self’s staff were seen speaking privately with the family, though the content of that discussion was not made public.
Fiscal Questions
Fiscal policy surfaced briefly when a resident asked about revenue impacts tied to recent foreign-investment tax changes. Self said he was unfamiliar with the issue:
“I have no idea what you’re talking about… I’d be happy to take the issue and ask about it.”
The exchange highlighted the complexity of regulatory and tax-policy decisions that receive less public attention than higher-profile legislation.
What Voters May Take From the Contrast
Over the course of the town hall, Self spoke at length about Sharia-related legislation and broader cultural and national-security concerns. His answers on health-care affordability, caregiver reductions, and fiscal policy were generally shorter and often referenced ongoing committee work or pending negotiations.
The event provided constituents with a clearer view of the issues Self is currently emphasizing in Congress and the areas where he has outlined specific legislative proposals. It also underscored the practical questions residents continue to raise about health care, veterans’ benefits, and economic pressures as policy deadlines approach.
Editor’s Note: Some developments mentioned here — including final passage of the Epstein disclosure bill — occurred after the town hall and are reflected for accuracy. TX3DNews also contacted Rep. Keith Self and his staff for clarification on several comments made during the event; no response was received.