Representative Keith Self (R-Texas) announced that he is co-sponsoring the Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act, a bill introduced by Representative Randy Fine (R-Fla.) that would bar federal funding to any state or local government that treats dogs as “haram.” Self framed his support as a defense of American cultural norms, stating “In America, we cherish dogs—loyal companions, beloved family, and yes, true gifts from God. Any foreign ideology that tries to strip Americans of our right to own dogs is not welcome here.”
Proud to cosponsor this bill.
— Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) February 20, 2026
In America, we cherish dogs—loyal companions, beloved family, and yes, true gifts from God.
Any foreign ideology that tries to strip Americans of our right to own dogs is not welcome here. https://t.co/31QwUgHvJi
Self has previously positioned himself as a vocal opponent of Sharia law in the United States. Earlier this month, he criticized a planned residential development in Plano, Texas, known as “The Meadow” or “EPIC City,” which was affiliated with the East Plano Islamic Center. He argued that proposals promoting exclusively Muslim housing communities were inconsistent with American values and law, emphasizing that Sharia law “has no place here.”
The Texas congressman is a member of the Sharia-Free America Caucus, which he co-leads with Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas). The caucus, formed in December 2025, now includes over 40 Republican members from seventeen states and focuses on preventing the adoption or influence of Sharia law in the United States. Self and other caucus members have framed their efforts as defending American legal and cultural traditions, arguing that foreign religious practices that conflict with U.S. law threaten individual freedoms and national sovereignty.
By co-sponsoring the Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act, Self aligns himself with Fine’s effort to tie everyday cultural practices, such as pet ownership, to broader concerns about national identity and foreign influence. Both lawmakers have emphasized that opposition to Sharia law is not limited to abstract legal principles but extends to tangible cultural issues, framing symbolic debates—like whether dogs are permitted as indoor pets—as part of a larger struggle to preserve American traditions.
The announcement highlights how members of the Sharia-Free America Caucus are using legislation to reinforce cultural norms and assert what they describe as constitutional and moral priorities. Social media reactions and public discussion indicate that the bill and the caucus’s activities are generating significant attention, illustrating the ongoing debates over religion, law, and cultural influence in American politics.
