For more than four decades, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has fought tirelessly for groundbreaking legislation both locally and nationally. She now has found herself in the fight of her life after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The 74-year-old Texas Democrat made the announcement recently and said that she is being treated for the disease that is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.
“I am currently undergoing treatment to battle this disease that impacts tens of thousands of Americans every year. I am confident that my doctors have developed the best possible plan to target my specific disease,” Jackson Lee said in a statement. “The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me.”
Jackson Lee, whose 18th Congressional District includes Fifth Ward, Acres Homes, parts of Downtown, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and unincorporated parts of Harris County, said that it’s likely that she will be absent from Congress occasionally as she pursues treatment, but ensured that her office remains comitted to continuing to serve constituents. She said she will also work with congressional leadership to be present for votes.
A storied career
Jackson Lee first took office locally as a member of Houston’s City Council in 1989. In 1995, she won her Congressional seat, which she has held for 29 years. In March, she defeated challenger Amanda Edwards, a former Houston City Councilwoman, in the most competitive primary of her congressional career. Prior to the March primary, Jackson Lee had only drawn four primary challengers, and she defeated all of them by significant margins. She is up for reelection in her Congressional seat in November 2024. In November 2023, she lost a hard-fought battle to become Houston’s mayor to Texas State Sen. John Whitmire. Now in her 15th term, Jackson Lee serves on the House Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and the Budget and is the first female Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee for Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, a subcommittee she chaired during the 117th Congress.
Her legislative achievements are extensive and impactful. Jackson Lee has been recognized as one of the 50 most effective Members of Congress by ‘Congressional Quarterly’ and among the ten most influential legislators in the House by ‘U.S. News and World Report,’ Jackson Lee’s influence extends beyond legislation. She is a founder, member, and Chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus and the Congressional Children’s Caucus, as well as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Energy Braintrust and Co-Chair of the Justice Reform Task Force.
Educationally, Jackson Lee holds a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School. She is married to Dr. Elwyn Lee, an administrator at the University of Houston. She has two children: Jason Lee, a Harvard graduate, and Erica Lee, a Duke graduate. She is also the proud grandmother of twins Ellison Bennett Carter and Roy Lee Carter III.
Previous battles
In 2012, she announced she was cancer-free after being diagnosed with breast cancer the year before. In a statement at the time, Jackson Lee said that she recently finished her last course of treatment at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The treatment, she said, included surgery, chemotherapy, radiation “and other effects including loss of hair.”
“I look forward to having many more years to enjoy my family, friends and to serve our community and nation. I now intend to be an even more vigorous advocate and supporter for cancer research and improved care.”
Now, the Congresswoman says she plans to approach this fight with the same vigor that she had in her breast cancer fight.
Despite a contentious mayoral race, Houston Mayor John Whitmire issued a statement after Jackson Lee released the news.
“Congresswoman Jackson Lee cares deeply about her 18th congressional district constituents, always fighting for federal programs and funding,” Whitmire said. “Recently, she joined us at the Houston Emergency Center after the Derecho storm to update Houstonians on recovery efforts. As she undergoes treatment for pancreatic cancer, our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.”
“Some things are bigger than politics,” added the Harris County GOP in a statement on X. “Please join us in praying for Congresswoman Jackson Lee and her loved ones during this difficult time, as we wish her a speedy recovery.”
Forging ahead
Despite her diagnosis, Jackson Lee remains resolute in her commitment to her congressional duties. “I am committed to working with our Congressional leadership, including Leader Hakeem Jefferies and the Speaker of the House, to serve this nation and be present for votes on legislation that is critical for the prosperity and security of the American people,” she said. “By God’s grace, I will be back at full strength soon.”
Texas Southern University political science professor, Michael O. Adams, openly warned any potential campaigners from thinking Jackson Lee is even close to dropping out.
“It would be particularly politically miscalculation if someone were to even speculate openly or publicly about replacing Sheila Jackson Lee or trying to,” Adams said. “What I’m hearing is most people are praying for the Congresswoman at this point that she makes a full recovery.”
Jackson Lee says no matter how difficult her journey seems, no one should count her out.
“As a member of Congress, I’ve been honored to be one of the leaders in the fight for justice and equality for all; especially the disadvantaged and the dispossessed. Today, my fight is more personal, but I will approach it with the same faith and the same courage,” Jackson Lee said.
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the pancreas. The pancreas lies behind the lower part of the stomach. It makes enzymes that help digest food and hormones that help manage blood sugar.
Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a mix of these.
According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer accounts for around 3% of all cancer cases and 7% of all cancer deaths. One in 56 men is at risk, while one in 60 women. Doctors with the Baylor College of Medicine said more than 60,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year.
“It is now the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. So, it is an aggressive type of cancer, but there are also many treatments,” said Dr. Shalini Makawita.
Patients who are diagnosed with one form of cancer may be susceptible to other types of cancer later in life.
“There are certain genetic conditions that folks may have that can predispose them for a second type of cancer in the future,” Makawita said. “The only way to really cure pancreatic cancer at present is if somebody can make it to surgery and have it surgically removed.”
66,440
Americans expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024
58,000
Americans expected to die from pancreatic cancer
5 Facts
- Born in Queens, New York
- B.A., Yale University, Political Science (w/honors in the first graduating class including females); J.D., University of Virginia Law School
- Served as a judge in Harris County
- Elected to serve as an at-large Houston City Council member in 1989
- Committee Member: Judiciary, Homeland Security and the Budget, Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Biggest accomplishments
- Authored Juneteenth National Independence Day Act (creating the first new federal holiday in nearly four decades)
- Championed the Violence Against Women Act, ensuring its passage for the first time in almost ten years.
- Spearheaded the Sentencing Reform Act, the George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, and the RAISE Act.
- Introduced crucial bills like the Fair Chance for Youth Act, the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act, and Kaleif’s Law.
- Fought for the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
- Championed outreach to minority- and women-owned businesses in the commercial space industry.
- Authored the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act.
