WASHINGTON — Rep. Christian Menefee, D-Houston, will introduce his first bill as a member of Congress on Thursday, proposing a nationwide cap on how long congressional seats can remain vacant.
The Special Election Timeliness Act, or SET Act, would require states to hold special elections for House vacancies within 180 days of the seat coming open.
The proposal is highly symbolic for Menefee, who was sworn in to represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District in February — 334 days after the death of his predecessor, former Rep. Sylvester Turner. The nearly yearlong vacancy was a source of frustration to constituents and Texas Democrats, who accused Gov. Greg Abbott of intentionally holding the safely blue seat open.
