Congressman Sylvester Turner is headed to Washington D.C. to represent Texas’ historic 18th Congressional District after being sworn in on Jan. 11. The Houston Defender got an exclusive interview with the Congressman before he departed for Washington, D.C. Turner listed the issues he plans to prioritize and discussed the political environment in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Working with a conservative Congress
When asked if he could work with the conservative Congress and the newly elected president, Turner said he “found ways” to work alongside President Donald Trump when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017 and has had similar encounters in his political past.
“In 2003, when the Texas House, the Texas Senate, and the Governor were all Republican-controlled,” Turner said. “Democrats were the minority. I found a way to work with them, and we were still able to advance measures that were in the best interest of the districts…We’ll stand firm on the values and the things that are important to the people in the 18th. If they bring up things that are the antithesis of what’s in the best interest of the people in 18th, I have no problem standing up and opposing and doing everything I can to prevent those measures from becoming a reality.”
Turner’s top priorities during the term
Former Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who completed the remaining days of her mother’s term in office, said the historic district grapples with several issues.
“I look forward to seeing him (Turner) standing strong in the face of a lot of challenges on the federal level and always keeping Texas first,” Carter said. “You still have to work where there is an opportunity, and there may be an opportunity on criminal legal system reform, healthcare, which is a passion of his, the cancer cluster, environmental toxins, (and) so many other challenges. I know that he is committed to addressing those.”
Issue: Health care
Turner said health care is a top issue because Republicans have indicated they want to get rid of Obamacare, which he “strongly opposes.” Considering his recently health challenges, he said he would work on expanding Obamacare, lowering premiums to make them affordable, and elevating the quality of life for 18th district residents, whose life expectancy is lower than that of other zip codes.
“Healthcare would be number one,” Turner said. “And then, you have the environmental injustice issues springing out of Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens area with the cancer cluster.”
Issue: Infrastructure and housing
Turner said he will address infrastructure issues and the shortage of affordable housing, including high mortgage rates and insurance, in an upcoming meeting with the National League of Cities in DC this week. He also referenced the combined $382 million Houston and Harris County will receive from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for recovery efforts from Hurricane Beryl and disaster resiliency.
“We need infrastructure because people in marginal communities, especially in the 18th or in the constant state of need and recovery areas that are flooding,” Turner said. “The cost of housing is continuing to rise, driving people out of their neighborhoods or onto the streets in a state of homelessness. I want to do everything that I can in working at the federal level to provide more affordable housing.”
Issue: Economic development, jobs and entrepreneurship
Turner will prioritize economic development and the creation of well-paying jobs, as well as supporting entrepreneurs.
“We need to work with the Small Business Administration and others, working with the industry and the private sector to create good paying jobs for people to take care of themselves and their families,” he said.
Working with Whitmire
Addressing a rumored rift between Turner and current Mayor John Whitmire, Turner referenced his former mayoral race opponent, Bob Lanier. In 1991, Turner was in the state legislature when Lanier became mayor.
“He [Lanier] and I worked together,” Turner said. “It’s all about what’s in the best interest. I’m prepared to work with this mayor and his administration in the interest of people in the 18th and Houston in general. But it is important that when we work hard on the congressional federal level to bring resources to the city and to the 18th that those dollars are utilized for the very purposes which they were intended.”
Turner stated that his job is to “bring back federal dollars” and ensure the appropriate utilization.
| Ways to contact U.S. Rep. Turner Email: https://sylvesterturner.house.gov/contact Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/repsturner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RepSTurner/ X: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FRepSTurner Houston Office Address: Mickey Leland Federal Building,1919 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002 Houston Phone Number: (713) 724-2651 Washington D.C. Phone Number: (202) 225-3816 |
Serving his constituents
Reflecting on his term, he said he will build on the legacy left behind by Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Craig Washington and Sheila Jackson Lee but will also bring his perspectives. He added he will host town hall meetings with his constituents to engage with the community
“I can’t think of anyone in the state of Texas who has been a legislator, mayor, and now a member of Congress,” he said. “I think I bring my own unique experiences and perspective to the 18th Congressional District.”
The Swearing-in Ceremony
Turner stepped into his role surrounded by family members, congressional colleagues, and others who had served with him in the legislature and City Council.
Among those present were U.S. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congressman Al Green, Texas State Senator Molly Cook, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Houston Councilmembers Abbie Kamin, Martha Castex-Tatum, Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, and Tiffany D. Thomas, Chair of the 18th Congressional District Linda Bell Robinson and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
Staci Childs, a Texas State Board of Education member representing District Four, said Turner’s speech instilled hope among Houstonians, and “you could feel the history in the room.”
