With less than five months on the job and facing yet another election in November, U.S. Congressman Christian Menefee is already sifting through the Epstein files and debating federal spending policy.
Menefee was tapped by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries on June 9 to serve on the powerful House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The committee works as the principal investigative committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and is currently conducting oversight of the Trump administration’s handling of investigative documents related to criminal activities of the late Jeffrey Epstein. The committee is also responsible for reviewing federal spending and executive branch accountability, according to a press release.
Menefee, who represents Congressional District 18 in Harris and Fort Bend counties, is used to fighting President Donald Trump. The former Harris County attorney successfully sued the President four times last year.
Elected in 2021 as the youngest and first African American to serve as Harris County attorney, Menefee stepped down last year to run for the unexpired term of former District 18 Congressman Sylvester Turner, who died in March 2025. Gov. Greg Abbott delayed a special election several months and Menefee got the most votes in a crowded race in November, forcing him to a January runoff with former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards.
Menefee won the runoff and was sworn into office in February but because the election was to fill an unexpired term, he immediately faced another primary race for the full term, this time against longtime Congressman Al Green, who was redistricted out of his CD 9 seat into CD 18. That race also went to a runoff, which Menefee won on May 26.
Now that he’s the incumbent and has secured the Democratic nomination, he’ll face Republican Ronald Whitfield on November 3 for a full two-year term.
In a January 31 victory speech, Menefee said he would continue to fight for affordability, accessible healthcare and to decrease the presence of immigration agents in Houston. He directly addressed Trump, saying, “The results tonight are a mandate for me to work as hard as I can to oppose your agenda, to fight back against where you’re taking this country and to investigate your crimes. I look forward to doing so.”
As a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, he’ll get to do just that.
Jeffries said in a statement that Menefee is a “fierce fighter for the health, safety and well-being of Houstonians, is committed to lowering the high cost of living and has repeatedly proven his capacity to hold those in power to account.”
“As we continue to push back on the corruption and failed promises of Donald Trump and his administration, I know Rep. Menefee will be a strong voice on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,” Jeffries said.
The committee includes 26 Republicans and 21 Democrats and is chaired by James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky. The panel recently conducted investigations on immigration policy and violations of political lobbying restrictions.
Menefee, who is planning a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at 9 a.m. June 20 at the University of Houston Student Center Theater, said he’s ready to get to work.
“I’ve spent my career building cases, directing legal strategy, and ensuring that institutions answer for their conduct,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to bringing that experience to the committee’s work.”
