Houston lawmakers skip State of the Union to hold community listening sessions

While President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address in Washington, two Houston-area members of Congress say they will spend the evening at home, listening directly to constituents instead of attending the speech.

Rep. Christian Menefee, who represents Texas’ 18th Congressional District, announced he will attend two previously scheduled community meetings in Houston. Menefee is set to join the Super Neighborhood 48 meeting for Trinity–Houston Gardens at 6 p.m., followed by the LULAC Council #4566 meeting at 7 p.m. Both events are open to the public.

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Menefee said he chose to remain in Houston to hear directly from residents after the district went without representation for nearly a year. He added that affordability, healthcare and respect for local communities remain among the top concerns he hears across the district.

“People across this district don’t want political theater,” Menefee said. “They want someone who shows up, listens, and fights to lower costs and protect their neighborhoods.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, who represents Texas’ 7th Congressional District, also announced she will not attend the State of the Union, marking the first time she has skipped the address since being elected to Congress.

Fletcher said she plans to host a listening session she is calling “The Real State of the Union,” focused on hearing from Houstonians and Texans about their concerns.

“This year is not like any other,” Fletcher said. “Over the last year, President Trump has ignored, defied, and dismissed the Congress, the courts, and the Constitution, doing real and lasting harm to the people and the principles of the United States of America.”

Fletcher said she expects the address to continue what she described as “dangerous and divisive dishonesty” and believes it is more important to hear directly from constituents.

Both lawmakers emphasized that their events are open to the public and centered on constituent engagement rather than national political messaging.