Christian Menefee is the Democratic incumbent seeking re-election in Texas's 18th District. A former commercial litigator, he was elected Harris County Attorney in 2020 and won a special election to the House seat in early 2026 after Rep. Sylvester Turner's death. He then defeated fellow incumbent Al Green in the May 2026 Democratic primary runoff, and he serves on the Oversight and Government Reform and Science, Space, and Technology committees.[1][2][3][4]
Menefee grew up in Houston's public schools, the son of two U.S. Coast Guard veterans, and was the first in his family to graduate from college, according to his official biography; his Ballotpedia survey says he attended Klein Forest and Alief Hastings high schools.[1][2]He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2010 and a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law in 2013.[1][4]He practiced commercial litigation, beginning at Norton Rose Fulbright and later at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, according to his Ballotpedia survey; his official biography adds pro bono work advising the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and assisting immigrant families affected by the "Muslim ban" during President Trump's first term.[1][2]
Menefee won the November 3, 2020 general election for Harris County Attorney over John Nation, took office in 2021 succeeding Vince Ryan, and was re-elected in November 2024 over Jacqueline Lucci Smith.[1][2]His official biography says he was the youngest person and first Black attorney elected to the office, and that his office brought lawsuits over health care funding, voting rights and environmental pollution.[2]He led the first round of the November 4, 2025 special election for the congressional seat left vacant by Rep. Sylvester Turner's death, won the January 31, 2026 runoff over Amanda Edwards, and was sworn in to the U.S. House in early February 2026.[5][1][4]
In Congress, Menefee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus, among others.[3]He defeated fellow incumbent Al Green in the May 26, 2026 Democratic primary runoff, 69.3% to 30.7%.[1]According to his official biography, he lives in Houston with his wife, Kaitlyn, an attorney, and their two sons.[2]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
Secure America Act This act provides $70 billion in funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through FY2029 for immigration enforcement, border security, and related activities.
This concurrent resolution establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2026, sets forth budgetary levels for FY2027-FY2035, and provides reconciliation instructions for legislation that increases the deficit.
Apr 29, 2026 · Passed 215–211 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution reinstates provisions of District of Columbia (DC) tax law to conform with federal tax law. As background, DC generally automatically adopts changes to federal tax law (known as rolling conformity).
This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.
Apr 16, 2026 · Failed 213–214 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE).
Jul 21, 2026 · Failed 214–216 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its government or military no later than March 30, 2026, unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted.
May 14, 2026 · Failed 212–212 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.
Sep 15, 2026 · Passed 216–211 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the Department of Commerce from enforcing certain permit requirements for activities related to undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries.
Feb 11, 2026 · Passed 218–212 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.
Sep 16, 2026 · Passed 214–208 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Secure America Act This act provides $70 billion in funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through FY2029 for immigration enforcement, border security, and related activities.
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections.
Feb 11, 2026 · Failed 214–217 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Supreme Court to be composed of nine Justices—one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the Department of Commerce from enforcing certain permit requirements for activities related to undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries.
Feb 11, 2026 · Passed 218–212 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 8035) to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through October 20, 2027, and for other purposes.
Apr 17, 2026 · Failed 200–220 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
No Funds for Repeat Child Care Violations Act of 2026 This bill subjects states to additional sanctions for improperly using funds under the Child Care and Development Block Grant program.
Parental Rights Over The Education and Care of Their Kids Act or the PROTECT Kids Act This bill requires public elementary and middle schools, as a condition of receiving certain federal funds for elementary and secondary education, to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender on school forms or changing a student's sex-based accommodations.
May 20, 2026 · Passed 217–198 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 This bill prohibits institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs from engaging in boycotts against Israel.
This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.
Sep 15, 2026 · Passed 216–211 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.
Sep 16, 2026 · Passed 214–208 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026 This bill authorizes the President to prohibit the entry of a vessel into the United States if the vessel has transited any U.S. port, harbor, or marine terminal that has been nationalized or expropriated (e.
Mar 27, 2026 · Passed 247–164 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025 This act sets forth requirements for the processing of a proposed residential leasehold mortgage, business leasehold mortgage, land mortgage, or right-of-way document by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Housing for the 21st Century Act This bill revises federal housing programs, including by expanding available financing for affordable housing and providing grants for planning and community development activities.
Has the House concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 6644 with a House amendment, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, covering housing supply, manufactured housing, community banks, limits on large investors buying single-family homes, and a Federal Reserve digital currency ban through 2030.
This bill reauthorizes and revises programs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that support services and education addressing breast and cervical cancer. The bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and makes changes to the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act This act authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a major medical facility project in St.
Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 grant programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that provide funding to health care service providers and related entities in rural areas.
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
S. 2403 · U.S. HOUSE
Retire through Ownership Act
YesVOTED
Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)
Retire through Ownership Act This bill allows the fiduciary of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to rely on a valuation provided by an independent valuation expert or business appraiser in determining the fair market value of the plan's securities if the securities are not traded on a national securities exchange (i.
Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)
Water Resources Development Act of 2026 This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements.
Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)
Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”
NoVOTED
Motion: On Passage
This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.
Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act or the PROOF Act This bill requires states to provide such information as the Department of Justice (DOJ) may require for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting alleged fraud committed with regard to certain federally funded programs.
National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 This bill provides statutory authority for the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The division investigates and prosecutes fraud against taxpayer dollars and taxpayer-funded programs.
An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes
NoVOTED
Motion: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments
A yes vote agreed to the Senate's amendments to H.R. 5334, which add Russia sanctions, higher duties and an Iran Sanctions Act extension to the early-childhood educator deduction, sending the bill to the president. (AI-written)
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for teacher expenses to include early childhood educators.
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran
YesVOTED
Motion: On Agreeing to the Resolution
This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”
NoVOTED
Motion: On Passage
This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.
Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)
Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act This bill expands the federal tax deduction for personal casualty and theft losses by eliminating certain limits, including the requirement that such losses arise from certain disasters.
