Watch It For Yourself

Sheila Jackson Lee goes viral, driving Fox News and conservative bloggers insane

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee — who seems to commit a shameless snafu every other time she steps in front of a crowd or a camera — is no stranger to controversy.

In a recent address to the Speaker of the House, the liberal Houston Democrat insisted that "entitlements . . . are not handouts but they are earned," a sensational sound bite that landed her on Fox News (both on TV and on its blog) and put her in the conservative crosshairs.

While the term "entitlement" has become politically-charged and synonymous with "welfare," it's important to note that entitlement programs include more than just the need-based Medicaid, unemployment and food stamps. Pay-in programs like Social Security and Medicare are earned.

In Jackson Lee's rambling rant, though, the lawmaker doesn't make that distinction. Watch it above.

This Week's Hot Headlines

Austin restaurant chain bowls over River Oaks and more popular stories

Honest Mary's restaurant exterior

Photo by Becca Wright

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Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, including restaurant openings and a major acquisition for MFAH. Plus, where to celebrate New Year's Eve in Houston. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then visit this guide to the best Christmas weekend events.

1. Meet the men behind River Oaks' new destination for bowls and broth. On this episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Honest Mary’s founder Nelson Monteith and COO Andrew Wiseheart joined CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the Austin-based restaurant that just opened its first Houston location in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

2. Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire. It didn’t take Sambrooks Hospitality Group long to turn Mandito’s into Candente. First announced in September, the restaurant’s second location officially opened December 22.

3. 25 Houston restaurants celebrating New Year's Eve with caviar, bubbles, and more. Houston restaurants are ringing in the new year with indulgent menus featuring caviar, lobster, and steak, along with plenty of bubbly.

4. Houston museum acquires historic Masonic lodge property for new greenspace. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has acquired a prime parcel to expand its campus in the Museum District.

Holland Lodge masonic building The building at 4911 will be torn down for the new greenspace. Holland Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M./Facebook

5. Houston's richest residents, best suburbs, and more top city news in 2025. As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at the stories that defined Houston this year. These are the City Life stories that captured Houston's attention.

most popular stories openings podcasts new years eve mfah hot-headlines

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