Self, Keith

Keith Self is a Republican representative from Texas's 3rd congressional district who has served in the House since 2023. As chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, he leads oversight of U.S. policy toward European nations and NATO, a role that carries significant influence over diplomatic strategy and international security matters. The subcommittee examines threats to European stability, shapes policy responses to adversarial actions, and coordinates with U.S. allies on shared security challenges.\n\nSelf's background provides substantial expertise for this role. He is a West Point graduate who earned a degree in engineering in 1975 and served 25 years in the U.S. Army, including assignments with Army Special Forces and Rangers. His military service included deployments to Europe, the Middle East, and the Pentagon, where he worked on sensitive defense programs. He served in Joint Staff assignments in U.S. European Command and NATO Military Headquarters in Belgium, giving him direct experience with the alliance structures he now oversees. Before entering Congress, he served as county judge for Collin County, Texas, from 2007 to 2018, where he focused on fiscal management and tax reduction.\n\nAs Europe Subcommittee chair, Self has held multiple hearings addressing key regional challenges. He has convened hearings on NATO's funding commitments and burden-sharing among alliance members, weaponized mass migration as a hybrid warfare tactic used by Russia and China, stability in the Western Balkans, and arms control and international security. His remarks emphasize restoring U.S. credibility with European allies and countering what he describes as an \"axis of evil\" comprising Russia, China, and Iran. Self has also introduced legislation on foreign policy matters, including bills addressing Iranian regime officials and biodefense diplomacy.\n\nSelf positions himself as a national security conservative focused on military strength and border security. Beyond his Foreign Affairs role, he serves on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, where he has sponsored legislation on veterans' benefits and space exploration. He has also founded the Congressional Friends of New Zealand Caucus and co-founded the Sharia Free America Caucus. His legislative record reflects priorities in defense, veterans' affairs, and what he frames as national security concerns.