By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
GREENVILLE, Texas — U.S. Rep. Keith Self (R-TX-03) hosted a “Koffee with Keith” town hall in Greenville last Saturday, opening with brief remarks on federal spending, national security, and the newly approved congressional map that places Hunt County among the largest counties in the redrawn 3rd District for 2026. After his opening comments, Self took more than 30 constituent questions on issues ranging from veteran mental health and health-care subsidies to school choice, immigration, and foreign policy.
Self’s Opening: Debt, Budget, Economic Pressures
Self opened with a warning on federal spending, telling constituents the national debt is nearing $39 trillion and could reach about $62 trillion within a decade. “We’re about to blow past thirty-nine trillion dollars,” he said, noting the government already spends “one-seventh” of its budget on interest. He emphasized that only a small share of federal spending is voted on annually. “I only vote on 17% of the overall budget,” he said, warning that Social Security and Medicare could face “twenty to twenty-four percent” reductions around 2033 without action.
Turning to the economy, Self said GOP leaders expect “affordability” to dominate voter concerns, citing pressures in gas, groceries, and housing, as well as tax changes that do not take effect until 2026. “People vote on how they feel,” he said. “We’ve got to get to the point where things actually get better.”
He also touched on food costs, saying beef prices remain high due to slow cattle herd recovery and noting that Congress blocked the use of taxpayer funds for potential Argentine beef imports.
Q&A Begins: Mental Health and Veteran Suicide
The first question focused on veteran and first responder suicide. Self called the issue persistent across the VA system and said timely care is critical for those in crisis. “It matters when they get help,” he said, emphasizing that veterans should have access to VA medical centers, local clinics, or nonprofits staffed by former service members. He urged affected constituents to speak with his district staff on site for direct assistance.
ACA Subsidies, Firearms Regulations, and Stock Trading
A constituent asked about the Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire this year. Self distinguished between standard ACA subsidies and temporary pandemic-era enhancements, arguing that some of the temporary provisions sent “billions of dollars” to insurers “where there are no claims,” which he called “a tremendous insurance-company scam.” He said several proposals—Republican, Democratic, and bipartisan—are circulating and will require action soon.
Another attendee asked about firearms regulations under the National Firearms Act. Self said earlier Supreme Court rulings upheld federal rules because they were tied to a tax and noted that recent GOP efforts reduced certain taxes to zero. Under that reasoning, he said, “if you have no tax, then you have no regulation,” adding that the matter is now in litigation and may return to the Court.
On congressional stock trading, Self said he expects a discharge petition to force a vote on a ban and told constituents he has sold all individual equities. “We get information you don’t get,” he said. “We should not be able to enrich ourselves or our families based on that information.”
Immigration, Sharia, and Local Issues
Multiple questions centered on immigration, Sharia law, and local development concerns. Self told attendees he views “the rise of Islam and Sharia law” as “an existential threat to our self-governing, constitutional republic,” and said he believes some Muslims “intend to dominate our culture and civilization.”
When asked why this is happening now, he replied, “I don’t know why Muslims are going on the offensive right now… it doesn’t look like they have a tipping point in the United States like they did in the UK and France… but it’s obvious that they have.” He said the topic is now a major focus of his messaging.
Self also referenced discussing the proposed Epic development with the Collin County judge earlier that morning.
Protests and Law Enforcement
A constituent asked why recent protests have not faced more stringent enforcement. Self said authorities may need to “send enough people to take care of the situation,” arguing that law enforcement must not be outnumbered or overwhelmed.
School Choice
A question about school choice programs prompted Self to say the issue is largely state-driven but that Texas lawmakers must ensure taxpayer dollars do not flow to Muslim schools. He cited recent debates in Tennessee as an example of the concern.
Foreign Policy: Russia, NATO, and Venezuela
Responding to questions on Russia and NATO, Self said member states vary widely in readiness and commitment. He described Eastern European nations as fully engaged and warned that further Russian gains in eastern Ukraine could expose additional territory if Ukrainian forces lose key defensive ground.
On Venezuela, Self pointed to the U.S. carrier group operating in the region and said President Nicolás Maduro’s support appears to be weakening. He suggested regime change could occur “bloodlessly,” though he cautioned that potential successors could be similarly authoritarian.
Town Hall Format and Constituent Criticism
Late in the event, a Hunt County attendee asked Self to hold larger, open town halls and requested an apology for newsletters she described as divisive. Self said he does not intend to be divisive but will continue issuing updates reflecting his positions. He said past large town halls suffered from poor acoustics. “There’s no reason to have a town hall if there’s no communication,” he said, adding that he will continue holding smaller “Koffee with Keith” sessions.
Editor’s Note: TX3DNews covers public events involving officials representing Hunt County and TX-03 to keep constituents informed about the issues discussed and answers provided.
Regarding Self’s opening…..
DEBT AND FEDERAL SPENDING: Don’t tell the public about the debt created by yourself and other republican house members as if this has taken you by surprise. We can do the math❗️ You should have addressed that problem when you had the opportunity instead of bowing down to Trump and professing that YOUR JOB is to pass the Trump Agenda❗️ You can start to rectify the situation by walking back the enormous tax breaks given to the rich and famous. You can follow up by insisting on the truth about the Tariff Scams. Your golden leader professes that $17+ trillion dollars has been brought in by the tariffs. That’s real close to one half of the total debt of the $36 trillion dollar debt at the start of this aboministration – in case you can’t do the math. At this rate of tariff income, all national debt will be eliminated in less than an additional 18 months. Well, we both know this isn’t happening.
Tariff income is part of the MAGA HOAX‼️
ECONOMY AND AFFORDABILITY:” “GOP leaders expect Affordability to dominate voter concerns” and “People vote on how they feel,” he said. “We’ve got to get to the point where things actually get better.” So AFFORDABILITY is not just a Democratic hoax❗️ Affordability EXISTS is MAGA Hoax❗️ To be clear, if you think we are in a period of Affordability, it’s in your mind – a HOAX.
WHATS YOUR PLAN FOR AFFORDABILITY❓ I’m not interested in “we have a concept” ‼️
REGARDING FOOD COSTS: “Congress voted against using taxpayer funds for potential Argentine beef imports.” How did you vote❓ Why weren’t those same funds used to “bridge” the beef producers to keep American beef prices low❓ You know, similar to what Congress just did for the farmers who lost their soy bean contracts this year due to the Tariff Scams.
Regarding the Q & A:
ACA SUBSIDIES: Self doesn’t have a plan or even thoughts on the subject. He repeated the MAGA line that the temporary provisions sent “billions of dollars” to insurers “where there are no claims,” which he called “a tremendous insurance-company scam.” Those subsidies without claims is what keeps the premium low overall. It works the same way with private insurance. Everybody pays a premium but not everybody has a claim. That’s what keeps the premium from going thru the roof. It’s not an insurance scam – it’s how insurance works. The other advantage of the subsidies are – insurance companies can’t exclude pre-existing conditions and negotiated medical prices with providers. “He said several proposals—Republican, Democratic, and bipartisan—are circulating and will require action soon. We’ve been hearing this follow up statement since the first Trump term. Keith Self, don’t tell me this isn’t your job – make it your job – you represent the people of CD3 – it’s your job to represent me and all of CD3. This is what we are interested in – not bitcoin, not Gold Cards, not bibles, not ballrooms, not opening up trade relations with Russia, and not blowing boats out of the Caribbean Sea‼️
Regarding Self’s opening…..
DEBT AND FEDERAL SPENDING: Don’t tell the public about the debt created by yourself and other republican house members as if this has taken you by surprise. We can do the math❗️ You should have addressed that problem when you had the opportunity instead of bowing down to Trump and professing that YOUR JOB is to pass the Trump Agenda❗️ You can start to rectify the situation by walking back the enormous tax breaks given to the rich and famous. You can follow up by insisting on the truth about the Tariff Scams. Your golden leader professes that $17+ trillion dollars has been brought in by the tariffs. That’s real close to one half of the total debt of the $36 trillion dollar debt at the start of this aboministration – in case you can’t do the math. At this rate of tariff income, all national debt will be eliminated in less than an additional 18 months. Well, we both know this isn’t happening.
Tariff income is part of the MAGA HOAX‼️
ECONOMY AND AFFORDABILITY:” “GOP leaders expect Affordability to dominate voter concerns” and “People vote on how they feel,” he said. “We’ve got to get to the point where things actually get better.” So AFFORDABILITY is not just a Democratic hoax❗️ Affordability EXISTS is MAGA Hoax❗️ To be clear, if you think we are in a period of Affordability, it’s in your mind – a HOAX.
WHATS YOUR PLAN FOR AFFORDABILITY❓ I’m not interested in “we have a concept” ‼️
REGARDING FOOD COSTS: “Congress voted against using taxpayer funds for potential Argentine beef imports.” How did you vote❓ Why weren’t those same funds used to “bridge” the beef producers to keep American beef prices low❓ You know, similar to what Congress just did for the farmers who lost their soy bean contracts this year due to the Tariff Scams.
Regarding the Q & A:
ACA SUBSIDIES: Self doesn’t have a plan or even thoughts on the subject. He repeated the MAGA line that the temporary provisions sent “billions of dollars” to insurers “where there are no claims,” which he called “a tremendous insurance-company scam.” Those subsidies without claims is what keeps the premium low overall. It works the same way with private insurance. Everybody pays a premium but not everybody has a claim. That’s what keeps the premium from going thru the roof. It’s not an insurance scam – it’s how insurance works. The other advantage of the subsidies are – insurance companies can’t exclude pre-existing conditions and negotiated medical prices with providers. “He said several proposals—Republican, Democratic, and bipartisan—are circulating and will require action soon. We’ve been hearing this follow up statement since the first Trump term. Keith Self, don’t tell me this isn’t your job – make it your job – you represent the people of CD3 – it’s your job to represent me and all of CD3. This is what we are interested in – not bitcoin, not Gold Cards, not bibles, not ballrooms, not opening up trade relations with Russia, and not blowing boats out of the Caribbean Sea‼️