“Congress needs to be paid based on the average American wage”: Texas Rep. Keith Self under fire after calling federal programs “extraneous” while critics highlight GOP spending and White House projects

Texas – Texas Republican Rep. Keith Self is facing heavy criticism online after defending major federal spending cuts and accusing government-backed programs of fueling widespread “fraud” inside Washington. What began as a routine appearance on Newsmax quickly turned into a heated political argument across social media after clips from the interview were posted to Self’s official X account.

During the segment, Self backed President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts and argued that the federal government has expanded far beyond what it should be doing. He claimed too many taxpayer-funded responsibilities have been handed off to non-governmental organizations and outside groups, which he believes has opened the door to wasteful spending and abuse of public money.

“We have got to deal with the fraud,” Self said during the interview. “These things all take money. They all are part of the government for years and years and years. We need to start following the president’s budget request to cut out a lot of this spending that is extraneous to what the federal government ought to be doing.”

Self’s comments immediately triggered backlash online, with many critics accusing Republicans of attacking government waste while ignoring spending connected to Trump and other GOP-backed projects.

Critics turn the focus back on Republicans

Several users responding to the clip questioned whether Republicans were really serious about reducing government spending or simply targeting programs they politically disagreed with.

One person mocked Self by writing, “Right Keith. No more fraud and no more spending sprees on golden ballrooms,” referencing the expensive ballroom project tied to the White House.

Others were even more direct in their frustration. One user responded, “Give us a break with your conservative hypocrisy.”

Another commenter attacked Self’s record in Congress, writing, “Words. Words… Words! Your 3.5 years in Congress have been NOTHING BUT WORDS, Grandpa.”

The criticism did not stop there. Some users argued that excessive government spending and corruption are problems that extend across both political parties rather than belonging to Democrats alone.

“Agreed, but the GOP is no better. Congress needs to be paid based on the average American wage, and not a dime more. Things would quickly start changing for the better!” one person wrote.

Agreed, but the GOP is no better. Congress needs to be paid based on the average American wage, and not a dime more. Things would quickly start changing for the better! @HouseGOP @HouseDemocrats @SenateGOP @SenateDems As of now, you’re all full of shit re: fixing anything. 😡

— 528 Hz (@DnD2491) May 6, 2026

That comment quickly gained attention because it reflected a broader frustration many voters feel toward both parties in Washington. Instead of seeing the issue as strictly Republican versus Democrat, several users argued that lawmakers themselves benefit from a political system disconnected from ordinary Americans.

Another X user accused Republicans of selectively focusing on smaller fraud cases while ignoring larger spending concerns connected to powerful political figures.

“While the MAGA GOP who has been too cowardly to uphold their oaths runs their mouths about a couple million in fraud that was ALREADY BEING PROSECUTED, BILLIONS & BILLIONS are going out the back door of the Oval Office. Look in your own back yard cowards!”

The online reaction showed how debates about government spending have become increasingly emotional and personal, especially as economic pressures continue affecting voters across the country.

Self pushes broader spending cuts

Despite the criticism, Self has continued supporting aggressive reductions in federal spending. According to reports, the Texas congressman sent a letter earlier this year to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole requesting cuts to several major agencies and organizations.

Among the groups Self targeted were the Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization, and the National Endowment for Democracy.

The request aligns with a larger effort inside parts of the Republican Party to shrink federal agencies and redirect government priorities under Trump’s broader agenda. Supporters of those cuts argue that Washington has become bloated and inefficient, with taxpayer money flowing into programs they believe no longer serve core national interests.

Critics, however, warn that some of the proposed reductions could weaken public health programs, environmental protections, and international partnerships.

The clash surrounding Self’s comments also reflects a growing divide inside American politics over what government should actually do and where public money should go. Republicans have increasingly focused on cutting federal programs, while Democrats often argue that many government services remain necessary for healthcare, environmental oversight, and economic stability.

At the same time, distrust toward Congress itself continues rising among many voters, including people frustrated with spending coming from both parties.

That frustration was visible throughout the response to Self’s interview. While some conservatives supported his calls for reducing waste, many others appeared tired of hearing politicians promise reform without delivering visible results.

The debate surrounding Self’s remarks may fade from headlines in a few days, but the anger underneath it likely will not. Questions about government spending, political hypocrisy, and accountability remain some of the most explosive issues in American politics — and both parties continue finding themselves under fire whenever they try to claim the moral high ground on fiscal responsibility.