Christian D. Menefee

Reps. Menefee and Dean Introduce the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act

Position: The representatives support legislation requiring firearm manufacturers and dealers to provide safe storage information and devices with firearm sales, establishing DOJ guidance on safe storage practices, and creating a federal tax credit to make firearm safes more affordable.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressmembers Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) and Madeleine Dean (PA-04) introduced the Kimberly Vaughn Firearm Safe Storage Act, legislation aimed at increasing education and awareness around safe firearm storage and preventing tragedies caused by unsecured firearms. The bill is named in honor of Kimberly Vaughan, one of the 10 lives tragically stolen during the May 18, 2018 mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas. Kimberly was sitting in her art class when a classmate opened fire using firearms taken from his father that had been left unsecured in the home. The legislation would require federally licensed firearm manufacturers, importers, and dealers to provide written safe storage information and a safe storage device with every firearm sold. It would also direct the Department of Justice to develop and distribute best practices for safe firearm storage and establish a grant program to help communities access safe storage devices. In addition, the bill would create a federal tax credit to make firearm safes and storage devices more affordable for American families seeking to responsibly own a firearm. “Safe firearm storage is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent gun violence, suicides, accidental shootings, and to keep stolen weapons from ending up in the wrong hands.” said Rep. Menefee. “That’s why I am proud to team up with Rep. Dean on this commonsense bill to increase education and awareness around safe firearm storage so we can prevent further tragedies like the Santa Fe High School shooting and keep our communities safe.” “As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to keep our communities, especially our kids, safe — yet the leading cause of death for minors in the U.S. is gun violence,” said Rep. Dean. “Unsafe storage and unsupervised firearm use is an enormous danger to our children and teens. The Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act will better equip legal gun owners with safe storage practices. I’m thankful to Congressman Menefee for his leadership on this legislation. We can save lives.” “Unsecured firearms that are unlocked and loaded in the home increase the risk of intentional and unintentional gun violence. More than 73 percent of children aged 5 to 14 know where their parents keep their firearms, and more than a third have handled those guns without their parents’ knowledge. Moreover, over 90 percent of guns used in accidental shootings of children that resulted in death were left unsecured. The Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act will educate, encourage, and incentivize secure firearm storage practices to keep all our loved ones safe. Brady thanks Representative Menefee for championing this lifesaving bill in his first year in office that will prevent unauthorized access to deadly weapons and reduce instances of family fire and other gun violence,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady United. Unsecured firearms contribute to preventable injuries, deaths, and gun thefts across the United States each year. Hundreds of thousands of firearms are stolen annually from homes and vehicles, with many later recovered in connection to violent crimes, including robberies and homicides. Research has consistently found that safe firearm storage practices, including the use of gun safes, lock boxes, and trigger locks, can reduce accidental shootings, youth access to firearms, and firearm suicides. The Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act is not about restricting lawful gun ownership. It is about promoting responsible firearm storage and helping prevent avoidable tragedies through education, awareness, and access to safe storage devices. Congressman Menefee spoke on the House Floor to highlight this legislation and raise awareness about the importance of safe firearm storage. To watch the video, click here or below. Image

Rep. Menefee Conducts Oversight Visit at Dilley Immigration Processing Center, Calls for Facility’s Closure

Position: Rep. Menefee calls for closure of the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, citing documented mistreatment, inadequate medical care, and harmful conditions for detained families. He argues that immigration enforcement should focus on genuine public safety threats rather than families without violent criminal histories.

DILLEY, TEXAS — Today, Rep. Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) joined Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Rep. Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07) in conducting an oversight visit to Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Dilley, Texas. Following the visit, Rep. Menefee called for \the closure of the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the largest family immigration detention center in the United States, citing disturbing firsthand accounts of mistreatment, inadequate medical care, and harmful living conditions for children and parents held at the facility. During the oversight visit, Members met with officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and facility operators before touring detention areas and speaking directly with detainees. While facility officials described conditions as safe and humane, Members heard and saw a starkly different reality from the families being held inside. Detainees described significant weight loss from inedible food, delayed and inadequate medical treatment, unreliable internet access that left families unable to communicate with loved ones or legal counsel, and a lack of educational resources for children. Members also heard deeply troubling accounts of family separation, deteriorating mental health, and prolonged uncertainty that has left many families in crisis. “There were glaring inconsistencies between what facility officials told us and what detainees described,” Congressman Menefee said. “We heard story after story about untreated medical conditions, food that makes people sick, and children suffering physically and emotionally. What I saw today was disturbing, and what I heard was even worse. No family should be treated this way in the United States of America.” Rep. Menefee emphasized that immigration enforcement should prioritize genuine public safety threats, not families with no violent criminal history seeking a better life. “What we saw today were mothers, fathers, and children being subjected to cruel and degrading treatment,” Rep. Menefee continued. “These are human beings. They deserve dignity, due process, and basic humanity. What is happening inside this facility is unacceptable. This will not be my last visit. We cannot look away. We must close this facility, reunite families, and build an immigration system that reflects our American values.” In March, Rep. Menefee visited the Houston Contract Detention Facility to examine the impact of the Administration’s immigration policies firsthand. He remains committed to pushing for a more humane immigration process, stronger oversight, and meaningful reform of the nation’s detention system. ### About Congressman Christian Menefee (TX-18) Rep. Christian D. Menefee represents Texas’s 18th Congressional District, covering communities across the Houston area. He was sworn into office on February 2, 2026.

Rep. Menefee Introduces the College Affordability and Accessibility Act

Position: Rep. Menefee advocates for expanding federal Pell Grant support by doubling the maximum award to $14,800 annually with inflation adjustments, extending eligibility from 12 to 16 semesters, and opposing the Trump administration's efforts to reduce the Department of Education's authority.

HOUSTON, TEXAS — Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) introduced the College Affordability and Accessibility Act, legislation aimed at making higher education more affordable and accessible for students across the country by significantly expanding Federal Pell Grant support. The bill would double the maximum Pell Grant to $14,800 per year, with future increases tied to inflation so financial aid keeps pace with the rising cost of tuition, housing, books, and other everyday expenses students face while pursuing a degree. The legislation would also give students more time to complete their education by extending Pell Grant eligibility from 12 semesters to 16 semesters, helping students who attend school part-time, navigate work or family obligations, or need additional time to graduate. “I grew up on free lunch and Pell Grants. Without that support, I would not be where I am today,” said Rep. Menefee. “As a first-generation college student, I know how life-changing this assistance can be. Increasing Pell Grants expands opportunity and ensures every student, regardless of background, has a genuine chance to succeed.” “Pell Grants give millions of students an opportunity to succeed,” Rep. Menefee continued. “Now, as the Trump administration moves to destroy the Department of Education and strip away those chances, I am pushing back. We must invest in students, our future workforce, and preserve the pathways that countless young people depend on. Not dismantle them.” The College Affordability and Accessibility Act would especially benefit low-income students, working students, parents returning to school, first-generation college students, and students whose path to graduation takes longer than four years. Click HERE for one-pager of the bill. Click HERE to read the full bill text. Issues: Education

Rep. Menefee Introduces the Special Election Timeliness (SET) Act

Position: Rep. Menefee advocates for federal legislation establishing a 180-day deadline for states to complete special elections to fill vacant House seats, with enforcement mechanisms allowing the U.S. Attorney General and aggrieved parties to compel compliance in federal court.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) introduced his first original bill in Congress, the Special Elections Timeliness Act, or the “SET Act.” When a House seat goes vacant, the U.S. Constitution is clear: the governor must call a special election to fill it. What the Constitution does not say is how fast. That silence has become a loophole that governors may weaponize to leave communities without a voice in congress for prolonged periods. The Set Act closes that loophole. It sets a national 180-day deadline for states to complete special elections to fill vacant House seats. States with stricter laws on the books keep them. If a regularly scheduled general election falls within the 180-day window, that election satisfies the requirement. Governors of both parties have faced accusations of deliberately stretching out vacancies in districts held by the opposing party, denying hundreds of thousands of constituents a vote on legislation that shapes their daily lives. The patchwork of state laws governing this process has made that manipulation easy. Some states have no deadline whatsoever. Others, including Texas, require only that a governor act as soon as “practicable,” a word flexible enough to mean almost anything a governor wants it to mean. For the people of TX-18, it meant 334 days. After the passing of Congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in March 2025, the Houston-area district sat without a representative through debate and passage of President Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, through the longest government shutdown in American history, and through hurricane season. A prolonged vacancy does not just mean an empty chair. For communities that are already underserved and underrepresented, it means losing the one person whose entire job is to fight for them in Washington. The SET Act includes enforcement teeth. The U.S. Attorney General can go to court to compel a state to comply. Any person aggrieved by a violation, including the Speaker or Minority Leader of the House, can bring a civil action in federal court. "For over 330 days, communities across the Houston area went without a voice in the House because our state's governor delayed calling a special election," said Rep. Menefee. "The SET Act is a commonsense reform, and it should be bipartisan. When a Member passes away or resigns, their communities should have its voice restored as soon as possible." The SET Act is supported by multiple public officials who represent communities within TX-18. “After the untimely passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner, Congressional District 18 remained vacant for nearly a year because the governor failed to act immediately and decisively call a special election. No community should be left without representation or shut out of having a voice in Congress due to a governor politicizing the process of filling congressional vacancies. I support Congressman Christian Menefee’s Special Election Timeliness Act, which would establish clear deadlines, as a necessary step to ensure constituents' voices are heard," said Texas State Senator Borris L. Miles, District 13. “Governor Greg Abbott twisted Houstonians' constitutional right to representation into a partisan weapon, leaving Congressional District 18 without a voice for nearly a year. The Special Election Timeliness Act will make sure no governor, Republican or Democrat, can play politics with our representation ever again. I commend Congressman Menefee for bringing this critical bill forward. We shouldn't need a law to force elected officials to do the right thing, but this bill will protect our rights when we do, and help us create a fairer, stronger, and more just America," said Houston City Controller Chris Hollins. "Congressional District 18 went more than 300 days without a voice in Washington, and that is unacceptable for the families I represent. No community should be left without representation because of political delay or inaction. This bill ensures accountability and guarantees that Texans get the leadership and advocacy they deserve, on time," said Texas State Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons, District 146. Click HERE to read the full bill text. Issues: Congress

Rep. Menefee Votes No on Republican Farm Bill

Position: Rep. Menefee opposes H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, arguing that it fails to address rising food prices, cuts SNAP nutrition assistance, and does not support farmers affected by tariffs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) voted against House H.R.7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. The legislation does nothing to lower grocery prices, and locks in devastating cuts to nutrition assistance that Texans rely on. “In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, families need relief at the grocery store, and farmers need real support,” said Rep. Christian D. Menefee. “Instead, Republicans brought forward a farm bill that ignores skyrocketing food prices, does nothing to address Trump’s tariff taxes that are hurting farmers, and doubles down on cruel cuts to SNAP. In Texas alone, more than 300,000 people have already lost SNAP benefits because of Republican cuts in Trump’s ‘Big Ugly Bill.’ Across the country, 3.4 million hardworking Americans have lost food assistance. It is cruel, plain and simple. Now Republicans want to make those harmful cuts permanent, putting even more families at risk of going hungry. I will never vote for legislation that keeps families hungry while handing tax breaks to the wealthy. I voted no on this disastrous bill, and I will keep fighting to restore food assistance and lower costs for everyday Americans.” ### Issues: Congress

Rep. Christian Menefee Condemns Supreme Court Decision Undermining Black and Brown Voters’ Power in Louisiana v. Callais

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Christian D. Menefee (TX‑18) issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s 6–3 ruling in Callais v. Louisiana, which struck down Louisiana’s congressional map. “Today, the Supreme Court of the United States delivered a devastating blow to American democracy and to Black and Brown voters across the country. This ruling weakens critical protections under the Voting Rights Act and undermines decades of progress toward fair and equal representation. Let’s be clear about what this means, Black and Brown communities that have fought for generations to have their voices heard are now being told their representation can be diluted and dismissed. That is wrong and it’s unacceptable. But this fight is far from over. We will not allow this decision to erase the hard-won gains communities of color have made. We will continue to push back against efforts to silence voters, challenge discriminatory maps, and demand a democracy that reflects all of us. I will keep fighting to protect voting rights, strengthen representation, and ensure every community has a fair shot at being heard."

Rep. Menefee Votes Against FISA That Targets Black and Brown Communities

Position: Rep. Menefee opposes S. 1318, the Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act, arguing that extending FISA surveillance authority without warrant requirements for Americans' communications violates Fourth Amendment protections and disproportionately targets Black and Brown communities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Christian D. Menefee voted against S. 1318, the Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act, legislation that would extend the federal government’s surveillance authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the bill passed 235-191. The measure allows the government to collect the communications of noncitizens located outside the United States without a warrant but, in practice, it can also sweep in communications involving Americans who are in contact with those individuals. Under current law, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may search Americans’ communications gathered through the program without first obtaining a warrant. “Every American should be concerned by this vote,” said Rep. Menefee. “It may sound like a Washington issue, but it reaches into communities all across this country. For decades, surveillance powers granted in the name of security have disproportionately targeted Black and Brown communities, often without meaningful oversight or accountability. I won’t let this Administration have more unchecked power to spy on Americans. We needed real FISA reform, including stronger Fourth Amendment protections. Ignoring American’s constitutional rights crosses a dangerous line and puts the freedoms of every American at risk.” Issues: Congress

Rep. Menefee Condemns Cuts to Research That Keeps Houston Communities Safe from Flooding

Position: Rep. Menefee opposes proposed cuts to NOAA weather and climate research funding, arguing that such reductions would leave Houston vulnerable to flooding and severe storms and that continued federal investment in research, forecasting, and flood-modeling is essential for community safety.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) urged Congress and federal leaders to protect critical weather and climate research funding, warning that proposed cuts from the Trump Administration could leave Houston more vulnerable to catastrophic flooding and severe storms. Over the last decade, Houston area communities have endured seven federally declared disasters. Rep. Menefee pointed to the lifesaving role of research conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including work through its Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and partnerships that helped produce updated rainfall data like Atlas 14, a key tool used to guide flood planning and infrastructure standards. During the hearing, Rep. Menefee pressed NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs on who would produce future rainfall and flood‑mapping updates if research funding is cut, and what assurances exist that Houston’s flood standards will remain up to date. Jacobs responded that NOAA would continue to execute its mission and essential priorities. “Hurricane Harvey alone caused $125 billion in damage and dumped more than 60 inches of rain in parts of Texas,” said Rep. Menefee. “That is not bad luck. That is a warning. The science is clear, these storms are getting stronger, and we cannot afford to cut the research that helps keep Houstonians safe.” Rep. Menefee closed by urging Congress and NOAA Administrator to fully fund the research, forecasting, and flood‑modeling capabilities that communities like Houston depend on. ###

Rep. Menefee Pushes Back on Trump Proposal to Slash NASA Funding, Warns of Harm to Houston Economy

Position: Rep. Menefee opposes President Trump's proposed 23 percent cut to NASA funding, arguing it would harm Houston's economy, eliminate jobs at the Johnson Space Center, and weaken U.S. space leadership.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) spoke out against President Donald Trump’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 NASA budget during a Hearing by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. The Trump budget proposal would cut NASA’s funding by 23 percent and slash science funding by nearly half. Rep. Menefee warned the cuts would hit Houston’s economy hard and weaken America’s position in space. “President Trump’s budget is a wrecking ball aimed at NASA and the thousands of Houstonians who power our space program,” Rep. Menefee said. “Cutting NASA by nearly a quarter and gutting science funding isn’t just shortsighted, it puts American jobs, innovation, and leadership at risk.” The Johnson Space Center, located right outside of Texas’ 18th Congressional District, supports more than 52,000 jobs and contributes roughly $4.7 billion each year to the regional economy. Rep. Menefee stressed that the impact is personal for his district. “When I hear about these cuts, I take it personally,” he said. “The people who built this country’s space program live in my district. They work there. Their kids go to school there. We have to get this right.” “We were preparing to go back to the Moon, and in the middle of that, this budget would cut the very programs that got us [t]here,” continued Rep. Menefee. “That’s not a strategy, it’s sabotage. It risks putting us right back at ‘Houston, we have a problem.’” Rep. Menefee said he will keep fighting to protect NASA funding, support Houston jobs, and ensure the United States remains a global leader in space exploration. ###