He served in the State Senate (a part-time position) from 1984–2012, representing the 17th senatorial district. Most of the bills he introduced also had Republican co-sponsors. Sen. Houck served on the Finance, Transportation, Rules, General Laws and Technology committees. Becoming the Senate's third ranking member, he was Chairman of the Senate Education and Health Committee, the Joint Commission on Health Care and of the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee. He was also the Chairman of the Freedom of Information Advisory Council and vice chairman of the Commission on the Reduction of Sexual Assault Victimization in Virginia.