Keith Self
Representative for Texas · Republican · United States
“Roosevelt also acknowledged the importance of the chaplaincy by vowing to ``never fail to provide for the spiritual needs of our officers and men under the Chaplains of our armed forces'', and during World War II, President Roosevelt had Bibles printed and provided to troops in the field.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“This does not mean they replace other entities which provide advice or function. Rather, it ensures that chaplains, as spiritual advisers, are given a seat at the table. Let me be clear: This amendment does not empower chaplains to impose a particular belief.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Chair, I am not sure, other than the statements against this amendment, what the opposition my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have from what I said. I failed to hear exactly what their opposition is, other than their statements of opposition to the amendment itself.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment, which would attach the Military Chaplains Modernization Act of 2026 to the NDAA. It is supported by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board. This is not simply a chaplain protection bill.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“It also introduces real accountability under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for retaliation or censorship of a chaplain for acting according to their beliefs. This standard is essential to restoring trust. In 1942, President Franklin D.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“I am confident that they are ready to join the premier service academies and ultimately serve with the best in the United States military. This year, Texas' Third Congressional District is going to send seven cadets to the United States Military Academy; five midshipmen to the United States Naval Academy, six cadets to the United States A…”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
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“Mr. Chair, I am not sure, other than the statements against this amendment, what the opposition my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have from what I said. I failed to hear exactly what their opposition is, other than their statements of opposition to the amendment itself. Again, I say, chaplains will continue to connect servicemembers of differing faiths to chaplains representing their respective faiths and equip them with tools to meet their specific needs. {time} 1130 There are now 31 faiths recognized by the Department of War, to include Muslims, Jews, Bahai, Sikh, agnostics, and I could go on. Again, I fail to understand the difference between what my colleague said in specifics with what I said. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“It also introduces real accountability under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for retaliation or censorship of a chaplain for acting according to their beliefs. This standard is essential to restoring trust. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt acknowledged the importance of the chaplaincy by vowing to never fail to provide for the spiritual needs of our officers and men. Mr. Chair, in order for military chaplains to serve our troops effectively, we must give them the legal protection to do so without fear or compromise. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the inclusion of the Military Chaplains Modernization Act in the NDAA, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“This does not mean they replace other entities which provide advice or function. Rather, it ensures that chaplains, as spiritual advisers, are given a seat at the table. Let me be clear: This amendment does not empower chaplains to impose a particular belief. Instead, it protects them from violations of conscience and ensures they can facilitate spiritual care for all faiths. In fact, the amendment also protects servicemembers' ability to access the spiritual care specific to their needs and faith tradition. Chaplains will continue to connect servicemembers of differing faiths to chaplains representing their respective faiths and equip them with tools to meet their specific needs. This bill respects and maintains the pluralistic approach of the military chaplaincy program.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment, which would attach the Military Chaplains Modernization Act of 2026 to the NDAA. It is supported by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board. This is not simply a chaplain protection bill. This is a military readiness, religious liberty, and command support bill. This bill builds upon the truth that has been affirmed by the Supreme Court that the First Amendment rights of our military chaplains are not suspended at the doors of the Pentagon. Our chaplains serve on the front lines, providing for the moral and spiritual well-being of our troops. The Department of War needs statutory clarity.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Roosevelt also acknowledged the importance of the chaplaincy by vowing to ``never fail to provide for the spiritual needs of our officers and men under the Chaplains of our armed forces'', and during World War II, President Roosevelt had Bibles printed and provided to troops in the field. (9) Understanding the importance of religion not only to the members of the United States military, but also to the United States as a whole, the Founders ratified the First Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1791. (10) Under the First Amendment, which applies to the Armed Forces, the Federal Government has a constitutional duty to provide for the religious exercise of members of the Armed Forces, an obligation to which the chaplain corps is essential. (11) The Supreme Court stated, in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, 597 U.S.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“I am confident that they are ready to join the premier service academies and ultimately serve with the best in the United States military. This year, Texas' Third Congressional District is going to send seven cadets to the United States Military Academy; five midshipmen to the United States Naval Academy, six cadets to the United States Air Force Academy, six midshipmen to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and three candidates to the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School. To these 24 appointees and three preparatory candidates: I say God bless you, and God bless America. I salute you. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the 27 names and respective hometowns. U.S.”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute our servicemembers of tomorrow, the service academy-bound students of the Third Congressional District of Texas. This district of Texas is home to some of the best and brightest young men and women, and it is always an honor to appoint stellar student-athletes to our Nation's service academies.”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, America and our European Union allies find ourselves at an inflection point. We have an amazing opportunity, and the actions we take today will shape the outcome for generations to come. The world is significantly more dangerous because of the Biden administration projecting American weakness to the world.”
House of Representatives26 March 2025Source ↗