U.S. Rep. Keith Self told callers in a telephone town hall that China cannot be trusted in the long term, Congress should not be paid during a government shutdown and that the United States is justified in destroying drug-smuggling boats to fight fentanyl trafficking.
Self, a Republican who represents Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, took questions from residents across Collin County during the Thursday, Oct. 30, call-in event.
In response to a question from Dirk in Frisco about tariffs, Self said China will likely honor its current trade agreement only as long as it serves Beijing’s interests.
“Short term, probably yes. Long term, no,” Self said. “China takes a century-long view and aims to replace America as the sole superpower.”
He added that President Xi Jinping faces internal economic and demographic problems that may constrain his actions but warned that “China will act transactionally to benefit China’s interests.”
Self cited tariffs as a tool to rebuild U.S. manufacturing and said the administration’s goal is to restore domestic industry rather than merely collect revenue.
Asked by Richie of Murphy how lawmakers could have their salaries withheld during a shutdown, Self said he has already taken that step voluntarily.
“I requested that my pay be withheld during the shutdown — if we can’t fund critical programs, we shouldn’t be paid either,” he said.
He criticized Democratic leaders for declining to do the same, singling out House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for “dodging that question and likely continuing to draw pay while blocking funding for military and federal workers.”
Later, in response to another question about air-traffic-controller funding, Self said the House passed a clean continuing resolution to keep operations running but accused Senate Democrats of stalling while demanding “$1.5 trillion in new spending, including $192 billion for non-citizen health care.”
When Scott of Plano asked about what he called “illegal and immoral” attacks on drug boats, Self said the moral issue lies with cartels, not U.S. enforcement efforts.
“The immorality lies with the cartels, not the U.S. response,” he said. “Fentanyl kills about 300 Americans a day — equivalent to a plane crash daily.”
He said President Trump is using Article II constitutional authority to combat the threat and that Congress is weighing whether a new Authorization for Use of Military Force is needed to target cartels and other non-state actors such as Antifa.
On the topic of immigration, Nathan from Allen asked whether Self supports ending the H-1B visa program for foreign workers.
“Yes,” Self replied. “We’ve seen U.S. workers replaced by cheaper foreign labor.”
He said President Trump imposed a $100,000 fee per H-1B worker to deter abuse, and that “Congress is reviewing new legislation” on the issue. With border security improving, Self said, “we must now address legal immigration, including H-1B.”
Several other callers questioned Self on topics ranging from ICE protection to cryptocurrency and food assistance for non-citizens. He said local jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with immigration agents are violating federal law, and that he opposes a central-bank digital currency, which he warned could enable a social credit system like China’s.
Self described himself as part of the House Freedom Caucus, calling it the conservative conscience of the Republican Conference.
He said the nation’s $1 trillion annual interest payments on the debt are an existential threat and pledged to continue pressing for fiscal restraint.

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