U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee announced he has joined the Congressional Equality Caucus as House Republicans advance legislation targeting LGBTQIA+ students and inclusive school curriculum.

Menefee said the caucus membership comes as Republicans focus on legislation he argues diverts attention away from rising costs facing working families. The Republican-backed measure, titled the “Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act,” would require schools to disclose a student’s gender identity to parents and restrict certain LGBTQIA+ inclusive educational materials.

The Congressional Equality Caucus is one of the largest caucuses in the U.S. House of Representatives and advocates for policies aimed at expanding protections and equality for LGBTQIA+ Americans.

Menefee currently represents Texas’ 18th Congressional District and is in a Democratic primary runoff against longtime Congressman Al Green following redistricting changes that placed both incumbents in the same district. The Houston-area race has drawn statewide attention as a contest between one of Congress’ newest members and one of its longest-serving Texas Democrats. 

Early voting in the runoff election is currently underway and continues through May 22 ahead of Election Day on May 26. Texas voters who participated in the Democratic primary or did not vote in March are eligible to vote in the Democratic runoff. 

Menefee, the former Harris County Attorney, won a January special election to complete the remainder of the late Congressman Sylvester Turner’s term before launching his runoff campaign against Green.