By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews.com | July 27, 2025
McKinney, Texas — U.S. Rep. Keith Self (TX-03) held a Saturday morning town hall at a McKinney Tupps Brewery, where constituents pressed him on a range of federal issues — from the future of Medicaid and Social Security to the impact of recent budget legislation. The event lasted a little over an hour and drew a mix of supporters and skeptical voters, which included prepared remarks, questions from attendees, and sharp exchanges that underscored local concerns about economic fairness, healthcare access, and political rhetoric.
The event, held July 26 at 8:30 a.m., marked Self’s latest in a series of public appearances in the district following his vote in favor of the Republican-led reconciliation package, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill” by GOP leaders. That legislation, which passed the House last month, contains sweeping budget cuts, delayed spending rollbacks, and reforms to social safety net programs including Medicaid and SNAP.
Cuts and Clarity
Self opened by touting what he called a modest but important victory on spending. “We passed a $9.4 billion bill. The Senate sent back $9 billion… it showed there is some willingness to actually make cuts,” he said, defending the outcome as a step toward addressing federal debt. When asked about the long-term impact, he acknowledged the package was just a first round: “There’s a lot more work to be done.”
A constituent challenged him on the bill’s Medicaid provisions, which introduce new work requirements and reduce federal match rates for some enrollees. Self responded that Medicaid “was for disabled, seniors, pregnant women, and children — not for people here illegally.” He added that Medicaid expansion during the pandemic allowed “working-age adults who simply wanted cash protection while playing video games” to enroll — a remark that drew visible discomfort from several attendees.
Border and Benefits
Immigration remained a central theme throughout the discussion. Self repeatedly cited border security as a fiscal issue, claiming “$46 billion in the bill to build a wall and another… to build thousands of beds.” When asked about humanitarian concerns, he emphasized law enforcement: “I’m confident the border is being taken care of.” He reiterated his belief that public benefits should not be extended to undocumented immigrants, and also reiterated his stance that undocumented immigrants are criminals echoing common themes in national Republican messaging.
On Social Security, Self warned of what he called a looming crisis: “In 2033, if we do nothing, benefits drop by 20%.” He said he supports long-term stabilization but stopped short of endorsing a specific plan. When constituents asked whether raising the income cap or rebalancing payroll taxes could be considered, Self did not give a direct answer. He said he is “a voice in the wilderness” and noted that he does not serve on the Ways and Means Committee.
Accountability and Alignment
Self also addressed his recent public statements on transparency and oversight, including support for releasing the Epstein client list. “We need absolute accountability,” he said. “I don’t care whose names are in there.”
Asked about his relationship with former President Donald Trump, Self said, “No, I don’t follow President Trump. I work for the people of TX-03.” He also pushed back against claims that he echoes far-right voices, describing himself as “principled” and focused on district-level priorities.
One constituent pressed Self on cultural rhetoric after he mentioned concerns about Sharia law and foreign ideologies. “This is not a real religious issue,” he said. “This is a cultural issue… we cannot allow that.” The comment appeared to conflate religious and national identity, prompting follow-up questions that went unanswered.
Tone and Tensions
Throughout the town hall, Self maintained a calm but assertive tone, occasionally shifting into defense mode when confronted about specific votes or characterizations. The audience was split — some offering applause, others sighing or shaking their heads at various responses. Attendees voiced concern that partisan framing was overshadowing the real-life consequences of federal legislation on local families, particularly in healthcare and education.
When asked why the bill he supported delays most spending cuts until after the next election, Self deflected: “There are bureaucratic realities. You can’t cut all at once.” He insisted that the bill’s structure allows time for agencies to adapt and for oversight to be put in place.
One woman asked about funding for school lunches under the new SNAP restrictions. “Carbonated beverages are not nutrition,” Self replied, adding that federal benefits should support “real food, not junk.”
What Comes Next
As the session neared its conclusion, Rep. Self was asked to clarify a remark about Medicaid recipients, specifically whether he believed individuals were receiving direct checks. He began to respond, but the exchange grew tense as interruptions followed. With tensions rising, Self ended the town hall shortly afterward, thanking attendees. Several constituents remained behind to speak with staff.
The Congressman’s next public appearance has not yet been announced. Meanwhile, questions remain about how recent federal budget decisions may affect families across North Texas—particularly regarding Medicaid, SNAP, and infrastructure.
For now, Self continues to emphasize fiscal restraint and stands by his recent votes, as district residents assess the economic and healthcare impatct.
For more context, read our recap of Rep. Self’s June town hall in Farmersville: https://tx3dnews.com/keith-self-fairview-town-hall-2025/
Editor’s note: This article was updated to correct minor spelling and grammar errors.
It looks like a lot of topics went unanswered. Hopefully, given time we’ll hear more news on them.