Houston Reps Skip Trump Address, Opt for Local Discussions

Some Texas lawmakers choose to meet with constituents instead of attending the president's speech.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Several U.S. Representatives from the Houston area, including Lizzie Fletcher and Christian Menefee, have decided to skip President Trump's State of the Union address tonight and instead spend the evening talking with their local constituents.

Why it matters

The decision by these Houston-area lawmakers to forgo the high-profile presidential speech in favor of more intimate discussions with their community reflects a growing trend among some members of Congress to prioritize direct engagement with voters over attending partisan political events.

The details

Representatives Fletcher and Menefee, both Democrats, said they believe it's important to hear directly from their constituents and discuss the issues that matter most to the Houston region, rather than attending the president's address. Other Texas representatives, such as Republican Dan Crenshaw, are planning to attend the speech.

  • President Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Lizzie Fletcher

U.S. Representative for Texas's 7th congressional district, a Democrat.

Christian Menefee

U.S. Representative for Texas's 9th congressional district, a Democrat.

Dan Crenshaw

U.S. Representative for Texas's 2nd congressional district, a Republican.

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What they’re saying

“I believe it's important to hear directly from my constituents and discuss the issues that matter most to the Houston region.”

— Lizzie Fletcher, U.S. Representative (Houston Chronicle)

“Rather than attending the president's address, I'm choosing to spend the evening talking with the people I represent.”

— Christian Menefee, U.S. Representative (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

The State of the Union address is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 25, 2026, and the public will be able to watch the president's speech on major television networks and online.

The takeaway

The decision by some Houston-area lawmakers to forgo the State of the Union address in favor of direct engagement with their constituents reflects a growing trend among members of Congress to prioritize local issues and community outreach over partisan political events.