U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee dies

Texas Tribune via MSN ^ | 20 July 2024 | Matthew Choi and Sejal Govindarao

[Erik Latranyi]

WASHINGTON — Sheila Jackson Lee, a Houston Democrat who was one of the longest serving members of Texas’ Congressional delegation and a longtime advocate for progressive causes, died on Friday amid her battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 74.

Jackson Lee began her congressional career as an underdog, defeating four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washingtonin the 1994 Democratic primary, before establishing herself as a fixture in Congress and Houston with ties to the highest reaches of the Democratic Party.

Jackson Lee was a progressive fixture on Capitol Hill for decades. She was an early opponent of the Iraq War and advocate for gay rights. In 2021, Jackson Lee was arrested for engaging in civil disobedience over a federal voting rights bill. By the time of her death, she was a senior member of the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget committees. She never shied from speaking on the House floor or before the cameras on causes she cared about.

She was also a household name in the 18th Congressional District, which includes Downtown Houston. She was known for her frequent visibility at constituent graduations, funerals and baby showers.

[DPMD]

Frederica Wilson.

[caver]

I wonder what she said when Rush Limbaugh died? I will bet it wasn’t nice.

[WASCWatch]

SheJack was the one with the triple crown weave.

[Gena Bukin]

She’s died several times.

And she's currently tweeting from the grave. Undoubtedly, she will vote in November.

Posted today.

[fightin kentuckian]

“Dying of cancer, she spent her final breaths churning out Trump derangement tweets.
It’s kinda sad when you think about it.”

Reminds me of how McCain chose to die. I thought he had gone off to be with family and pass gracefully but he sure fooled me. He remained small, petty, shallow and nasty until the bitter end. And Lee is following.