Keith Self

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to lay out that this House has passed an Israel supplemental bill, $14.3 billion. Today, I call on the Senate to pass this aid to Israel forthwith. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to recognize our veterans by honoring exceptional American heroes and their selfless commitment to serving our Nation and their communities. It is a moment to acknowledge those who have sacrificed much and devoted all to safeguard our country. This year, Texas' Third District is saluting the brave veterans who have exhibited remarkable service, leadership, integrity, and dedication. These veterans represent true role models within our community, deserving our utmost respect, acknowledgment, and honor. The veterans from Texas' Third Congressional District receiving the 2023 Congressional Veteran Commendation Award are as follows: Lieutenant Colonel James Angelino, U.S. Army; Commander Paul Chabot, U.S. Navy; Command Sergeant Major Shane Chapman, U.S. Army; Sergeant Dave Cornette, U.S. Army; Colonel William George, U.S. Army; Colonel Larry Greene, U.S. Army; Sergeant Michael Karson, U.S. Army; Lieutenant Colonel Shawn Keefe, U.S. Marine Corps; Staff Sergeant Casey McEuin, U.S. Army; Sergeant James Owsley, U.S. Army; Lance Corporal Ramil Paredes, U.S. Marine Corps; Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony Rulli, U.S. Navy; Sergeant First Class Ruben Tobar, U.S. Army. I salute these 13 veterans. God bless them, and God bless America.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of Chairman McCaul's bill to ensure no funding for Iranian terrorism. While I am stunned by what I heard from my colleague across the aisle, I will try to bring clarity to this. In August, President Biden surrendered access to $6 billion to Iran-- make no mistake about it--for five hostages. Once again, he demonstrated weakness to our adversaries. In doing so, he signaled to Hamas that his administration is willing to reward hostage taking. The policy of the United States for years was no negotiations with terrorists or with hostage takers. We knew at that time that precedent was powerful. Now, weak precedent is dangerous. In October, Hamas official Ali Baraka said of the $6 billion deal: ``The U.S. conducts prisoner swaps. Only recently, it did one with Iran. Why wouldn't it conduct a prisoner swap with us?'' Now, Hamas is holding the West hostage, the entire West hostage, as they fortify their defenses while Israeli hostages are traded for Palestinian prisoners, including terrorists. There is only one language that is understood by our adversaries, and that is strength. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and send a message that we will not fund the radical jihadist agenda.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, this bill already contains behavior-based termination criteria for the sanctions described. Our sanctions on Iran should not disappear on an arbitrary date. Our sanctions need to remain in place until Iran stops threatening the United States, as already described in the bill. Iran has been a state sponsor of terrorism for over 40 years under, I might add, the same terrorist administration in Iran. If we put a 5- year sunset on this bill, Iran and its terrorist proxies will think they can just wait us out. After October 7, it became clear that we need to take every possible measure available to deter Iran and its proxies. The best way to project American strength is to make it absolutely clear that our sanctions will remain in place until Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States. Therefore, I oppose this amendment to add an arbitrary sunset, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, deterrence is based on strength and the willingness to use it. In my time in the Middle East, I understood that our adversaries there, including Iran and its proxies, understand only strength. If we put an arbitrary sunset clause in this bill, it will be demonstrating weakness and not strength. Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment. I encourage my colleagues to vote against it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment, which would prohibit funds from going toward implementing, administering, or enforcing the equity action plan of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This plan clearly violates the Federal civil rights law that has been in place since the 1960s. The intent of the Fair Housing Act is clear: to prevent ``discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.'' In other words, individuals with the financial means to rent or purchase a home cannot be discriminated against. Unfortunately, the executive order signed by President Biden, and the equity action plan laid out by the Department of Housing and Urban Development stretches the definition of ``fair housing'' far beyond the original intent of Congress. This administration has twisted the definition of the word ``equity'' to mean the exact opposite of fair and impartial treatment under the law. Equity is the administration's way of manipulating the rule of law to offer preferential treatment to various constituency groups. Rather than addressing the merits of those in need, the administration is conjuring up groups of individuals who have been assigned a predetermined victimhood status. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rosendale).

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Montana.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, when considering the mission of this equity action plan, it becomes clear that instead of rewarding people based on their merits, the government is attempting to pick winners and losers. This policy would negatively impact Americans by creating the potential of another housing crisis, as my good friend mentioned, and exacerbating existing problems embedded in our economy. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chairman, let me be very clear. We are discussing an executive order here. Mr. Chair, if this is so important, bring a bill to the floor of the House. Do not give us an executive order. It is clear that this executive action plan will be rejected by the courts because it is in violation of the 14th Amendment. This administration is clearly attempting to hide under layers of bureaucratic red tape and, in the process, grow the administrative state and erode the power that voters have invested in this body. This action plan is, in fact, so radical that it won the endorsement of Marxists, who openly proclaim: ``Keep dismantling the organizing principle of this society.'' We should not fund this initiative. It is time for Congress to do its job by directing taxpayer dollars to priorities that affect all of our constituents. Mr. Chair, I urge the passage of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Mr. McCaul's resolution to declare the policy of the United States that a nuclear Iran is not acceptable. I commanded a Green Beret Special Forces detachment that deployed a tactical nuclear weapon, and I stood strategic nuclear watch for 1 year. I was intimately familiar with the single integrated operations plan, the strategic nuclear plan. I knew in detail the tens of thousands of deaths that nuclear war entails. The United States and our allies, including Israel, must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon by any means necessary. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SELF. Madam Chair, I rise to support my very simple amendment, which would prohibit any funds from this bill from being used toward the Civilian Climate Corps. The Biden administration continues to prioritize programs like the Civilian Climate Corps, which pushes Green New Deal policies that have proved to be costly and ineffective. Instead of pushing their Green New Deal agenda, this administration should instead focus on cutting wasteful spending and securing our southern border, rather than wasting taxpayer dollars on indoctrination on a leftist ideology that provides nothing of value to the economy. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF. Madam Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. SELF. Madam Chair, we borrow $6 billion a day. We throw the $2 trillion number around all the time but, frankly, most of us don't understand a trillion. We borrow $6 billion a day toward that $2 trillion. We discuss a lot of inputs on the floor of the House, which means government spending, Federal spending. We rarely discuss outputs, and in this case there is very little output. We are talking about some inputs, Federal spending, but no outputs. This is simply an indoctrination program to the Green New Deal. Now, we also have a lot of noble sounding ideas coming across this floor, but in this case there is nothing positive. There is only spending. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, and I agree with my colleagues across the aisle: You cannot choose your own facts, and this is a moral discussion. Abortion is not reproductive health. Abortion takes a life. There are two people involved in this issue, and one of them dies. This is not healthcare. This is not a political issue. It is a moral issue that our Nation needs to grapple with. This motion must not pass.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act. This bill will streamline the veterans claims process through several actions, including adding language from my bill, H.R. 1329, to add two additional judges to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. For decades, the Board of Veterans' Appeals has been maligned because they cannot provide timely decisions to veterans who appeal their cases. To make matters worse, the court anticipates the caseload in FY 2023 increasing even more due to the amount of cases generated from the PACT Act. Quite simply, more cases before the board will lead to more denials, and more denials will lead to more appeals. The rapid growth of appeals will create an even larger backlog and leave veterans waiting longer periods of time--potentially years--for their cases to be resolved. Since the court's expansion from five to seven permanent judges in 2011, appeals that have been filed with the court have more than doubled from just under 4,000 to just under 9,000 in 2020. Increasing the number of judges will provide the court with an opportunity to prevent a backlog and provide veterans with decisions in a timely manner. The addition of this language to the bill is endorsed by the court itself. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1530.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Chaplain Major Troy Bates to the U.S. House of Representatives. He currently serves as the garrison family life chaplain at West Point. He was direct commissioned into the Army Chaplain Corps in August of 2009 as a reserve chaplain for the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion. Chaplain Bates has provided spiritual support for our troops in harm's way in six combat deployments. He first deployed as the battalion chaplain from the 25th Infantry Division to Afghanistan. He then became a member of the 10th Special Forces Group, my old group. Chaplain Bates deployed twice to Afghanistan with the Special Forces Group and once to Africa. He then joined the XVIII Airborne Corps and deployed again to Iraq, and then became a JSOC chaplain and deployed to a classified location. He has had an extensive education, including attending many military schools, and winning numerous awards, leading off with the Bronze Star. Especially interesting and meaningful to me, he has the U.S., British, Canadian, Italian, and German Jump Wings, as well as the Combat Action Badge. His education includes an associate of arts from the Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College, a bachelor of science from Baptist Bible College, a master of arts from Liberty University, a master of divinity in religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and a master of arts in counseling from Webster University. He is joined by his wife today, Duchess. They have five children, three of whom serve in the military today. I thank Chaplain Major Troy Bates for not only his service but his legacy and his family.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. The Golden State is turning into a Soviet state. California's attempt to ban gas vehicles is yet another step toward Marxism. It is no wonder people are fleeing California in droves, as their State attempts to partner with Biden's radical EPA by handcuffing customers with requirements to purchase electric vehicles. The Biden administration is weaponizing Federal agencies to pursue his radical Green New Deal agenda, while saddling Americans with the costs involved. Limiting consumer choice is a veiled attempt to force Marxist principles down the throats of consumers. Support of this bill pushes back against radical ideals and promotes the opportunity for free markets to prevail.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 2001, our Nation witnessed a tragic and unprecedented attack that forever changed the course of history. Under the leadership of Mayor David Bristol, Police Chief Doug Kowalski, and Fire Chief Stuart Blasingame, the town of Prosper commemorates September 11th each year with a solemn and heartfelt Remembrance Ceremony. Prosper's commitment to honoring the sacrifices made and the lives lost on September 11, 2001, reflects the enduring spirit of the American people and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of community, compassion, and service in times of adversity. It is with much appreciation that I honor the town of Prosper's dedication to preserving the memory of 9/11 and foster a sense of unity and resilience within its community.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor Dr. Howard Riley of Greenville, Texas, who recently marked his 100th birthday on August 24, 2023. Dr. Howard Riley is a true example of courage, sacrifice, and commitment. He served our Nation with honor as a Corporal in the Army Air Forces during World War II, from December 9, 1942, to February 18, 1946, where he worked diligently as a radio operator. His dedication to our Nation and its values extended far beyond his military service, as he continued to contribute to the betterment of our society in the post-war years. Dr. Howard Riley serves as both an inspiring testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a living reminder of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation in the pursuit of freedom. For this, we extend our eternal gratitude.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of Mr. Rosendale's amendment to remove mask mandates from our Veterans Affairs facilities. Last April, President Joe Biden signed the Pandemic Is Over Act into law to decisively end the COVID-19 national emergency. Accordingly, hospitals and clinics across the country have rescinded their policies requiring visitors and patients to wear a mask. However, VA clinics continue to enforce the so-called sensitive areas policy where patients must wear a mask while sitting in a meeting room waiting on his or her doctor. There is no reason for the VA to continue with this frivolous charade. Enough of the drama. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a pillar of the Hunt County community. In a world filled with media pundits and talking heads, Brad Kellar was a journalist in every sense of the word. There is a void left by Brad's passing, and I honor his memory today while borrowing excerpts from Brad's colleague, Travis Hairgrove. In the hearts and minds of people across Hunt County, the Herald- Banner newspaper and Brad Kellar were one and the same, and the two names were used interchangeably for the 30 years that he served his community as a tireless reporter of news stories, both big and small. Even more important than his work ethic were the relationships Brad built and the trust he earned through the care he put into his reporting and through his kind, affable nature. Many Hunt County residents came to know him as a friend, and his readers enjoyed the collective giggles and groans brought on by Brad's predictably corny puns and self-deprecating jokes. Brad's beloved wife, Vida, said: ``He was loved and he touched a lot of people. He loved his job, he loved writing, he loved the art of making a story, he loved the people of Greenville, and could find the good in just about anybody.'' With Brad being such a household name in Hunt County, many forget that he was originally from Illinois. This, however, didn't affect his devotion to his adopted community that was evidenced by his sacrifice and commitment to service. Some of the award-winning things he wrote were picked up by the Associated Press, and it was around one of those times that he received an offer from The New York Times to join their staff. He actually considered moving to New York, but ultimately turned down the job because he and Vida wanted their children to grow up in a town where they knew everyone, and therefore, everyone would know what their kids were up to. Also, Brad loved what he did, and he genuinely cared for the community he lived in and wrote about. Brad's dedication to service also made an impression on his eldest son, Nick, who went on to study journalism at Texas A&M University- Commerce and later worked in mass media for several years. Nick recently said: For me, he was a role model, and he showed me what it was to be a man. Brad's love for his community wasn't limited to the way he did his job. It was accentuated by the way he poured himself into the lives of others, particularly with the kids at his wife's daycare, Stepping Stones Learning Academy. Brad often visited the daycare center where he encouraged the children to be inquisitive, and he rarely missed the opportunity to let them know that they were special and that they were loved. The extent to which Brad cherished people, especially children, was probably intensified by the complications his daughter, Jaylynn, went through when she was born prematurely 24 years ago. At one point they thought that they might lose her, but as soon as they knew she was going to be okay, Brad held Jaylynn in his arms, and Vida heard him say, ``Love is going to hold you because God has put His hand on you.'' While the example of love and devotion that Brad showed his family will continue to inspire them for the rest of their lives, the extent to which he touched the lives of so many has been reflected by the flood of condolences and memories that have been shared since his passing. I conclude my remarks with a remembrance from our mutual friend, Greenville Mayor Jerry Ransom, who commented at a city council meeting that, ``Brad was a staple in our community with his steadfast reporting of Greenville and Hunt County news. More than anything, I think he was also a very proud father, husband, and friend.''