Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

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D Texas, 18th (1995-) In Office

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Biographical

Gender: Female
Pronunciation: SHEE-luh JAK-suhn lee
Date of Birth: Jan. 12, 1950 (age: 74)
Place of Birth: Queens, N.Y.
Religion: Seventh-Day Adventist
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.
Place of Residence: Houston, Texas
Previous Occupation: Attorney

Wikipedia

Official biography

Family:

Married: Elwyn C. Lee higher education administrator

2 children: Erica, Jason

Biography:

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is an influential and forceful voice in Washington. She represents Texas in Congress. Considered by many as the "Voice of Reason," Jackson Lee is dedicated to upholding the Constitutional rights of all people.

Since entering the House, Jackson Lee has been a vigorous supporter of civil and human rights. She has authored several immigration bills, such as the Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2007, which set forth a humane and compassionate solution to the immigration dilemma. That same year, Jackson Lee worked tirelessly to prevent the expiration key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to ensure that this fundamental right was protected for all Americans. In the David Ray Hate Crime Pr evention of 2007, she introduced legislation to enhance federal enforcement of hate crimes. She stood strong against the Defense of Marriage Act, an act that restricts state recognition of homosexual marriages.

Her commitment to children’s issues has also been unwavering. In Houston, she has secured federal resources in support of the Children’s Healthcare Program (CHIP) and public school funding. In addition, the Congresswoman annually hosts a holiday party featuring live entertainment, toys, food and giveaways for over 3,000 children and their families from her district.

Jackson Lee has also worked tirelessly to improving the lot and addressing the concerns of woman and minorities. She launched the Dr. Mae C. Jemison Grant Program, which works with institutions serving minorities to bring more women into the field of space aeronautics. She has stood tall for women’s health-care issues and the protection of women under Title XI, as well as equal pay for equal work legislation.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee has received numerous honors during her career in public service, including the US Dream Academy Legacy Award, the National Bankers Association Foundation Excellence Award, the Martin Luther King National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. Champion of Courage Award, the Livingstone College Doctor of Humane Letters, the National Association of Negro Business Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award, the Award for Policy at the 16th Annual Phillip Burton Immigration & Civil Rights Awards, the Drum Major Award for Public Service by the Revelation Urban Development Institute, the National Minority Quality Forum Lifetime Achievement Award and the Houston Community College Joyce M. Reynolds award just to name a few. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to Science, the National Technical Association (NTA) of Scientists and Engineers honored the Congresswoman with its Top Women in the Sciences Award. She was also awarded the "Legislator of the Year" by the National Mental Health Association for her outstanding work on mental health legislation.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a frequent guest on network and cable news including Face the Nation and MSNBC. She has been hailed by Ebony magazine as one of the "100 Most Fascinating Black Women." "Congressional Quarterly" named her as one of the 50 most effective Members of Congress and "U.S. News and World Report" named her as one of the 10 most influential legislators in the House of Representatives. Her hometown newspaper, the "Houston Chronicle" named her as one of the most influential and prolific legislators on Capitol Hill. She has also been named the member of Congress with the largest and most impressive vocabulary based on the words that may be found on the SAT.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee earned a B.A. in political science from Yale University with honors, followed by a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School. She is married to Dr. Elwyn Lee, and they have two children, Jason and Erica. See more >>

Miscellaneous Links:

Ballotpedia

C-SPAN

GovTrack

Project VoteSmart

Campaign Links:

Email, campaign: info@sheilajacksonlee18.com

X (Twitter), campaign

Instagram, campaign

Facebook, campaign

Open Secrets political finance profile

YouTube, campaign

Flickr, campaign

Social Networking:

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook, official

X (Twitter), official

YouTube, official

Instagram, official

Flickr, official

TikTok, campaign

Official Links:

Website, official

Press Releases

Official press releases »

Education

University of Virginia School of Law - JD (1975)
Yale University - BA, political science, with honors (1972)
Jamaica (N.Y.) High School - Diploma (1968)

Greek Organizations:

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Office History

Congressional Offices:

U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 1995-) In Office

Member, 18th Congressional District of Texas

Election Results

2021 (Nov. 3, 2020 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 73.29%
Democrat

Wendell Champion, 23.51%
Republican

Luke Spencer, 1.83%
Libertarian

Vince Duncan, 1.38%
Independent
2019 (Nov. 6, 2018 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 75.00%
Democrat

Ava Pate, 21.00%
Republican

Vince Duncan, 2.00%
Non-designated

Luke Spencer, 2.00%
Libertarian
2017 (Nov. 8, 2016 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 73.50%
Democrat

Lori Anita Bartley, 23.64%
Republican

Thomas Kleven, 2.86%
Green
2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 71.78%
Democrat

Sean Seibert, 24.76%
Republican

Vince Duncan, 2.23%
Independent

Remington Alessi, 1.23%
Green
2013 (Nov. 6, 2012 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 75.01%
Democrat

Sean Seibert, 22.58%
Republican

Christopher Barber, 2.41%
Libertarian
2011 (Nov. 2, 2010 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 70.15%
Democrat

John Faulk, 27.26%
Republican

Mike Taylor, 2.57%
Libertarian
2009 (Nov. 4, 2008 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 77.32%
Democrat

John Faulk, 20.34%
Republican

Mike Taylor, 2.33%
Libertarian
2007 (Nov. 7, 2006 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 76.62%
Democrat

Ahmad Hassan, 19.11%
Republican

Patrick Warren, 4.26%
Libertarian
2005 (Nov. 2, 2004 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 88.91%
Democrat

Tom Bazan, 6.40%
Republican

Brent Sullivan, 4.70%
Libertarian
2003 (Nov. 5, 2002 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 76.91%
Democrat

Phillip J Abbott, 21.70%
Republican

Brent Sullivan, 1.38%
Libertarian
2001 (Nov. 7, 2000 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 76.49%
Democrat

Bob Levy, 22.16%
Republican

Colin Nankervis, 1.35%
Libertarian
1999 (Nov. 3, 1998 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 89.95%
Democrat

James Galvan, 10.05%
Libertarian
1997 (Nov. 5, 1996 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 77.07%
Democrat

Larry White, 10.14%
Republican

Jerry Burley, 5.72%
Republican

George A Young, 3.87%
Republican

Mike Lamson, 3.20%
Democrat
1995 (Nov. 8, 1994 election)

18th Congressional District of Texas

Sheila Jackson Lee, 73.48%
Democrat

Jerry Burley, 24.40%
Republican

J Larry Snellings, 1.11%
Independent

George M Hollenbeck, 1.01%
Libertarian

Associated Organizations

Board membership:

Congressional Hunger Center
Board Member
Congressional Award Board
Board Member

Volunteer service:

Boy Scouts of America

Election campaign:

Sheila Jackson Lee for Congress (Texas)

Board membership:

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. (Feb. 2016-Jan. 2019)
Vice Chair

Awards

Joyce M. Reynolds Lifetime Achievement Award (Houston (Texas) Community College System)
U.S. Dream Academy Legacy Award (U.S. Dream Academy Inc.)
John Robert Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award (National Minority Quality Forum Inc.) (April 2023)
Spirit of Enterprise Award (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) (June 2020)
Charter School Work Honoree (Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc.) (Sept. 2019)
Distinguished Community Health Defender Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2017)
Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award (International Foundation for Electoral Systems) (Aug. 2016)

Official Signature

Contact Information

Email, member official contact form

Office Addresses:

Main Office:

Address:	2314 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-4318
Phone:	202-225-3816
Fax:	202-225-3317

View Larger Map

» District Offices

Privately Financed Travel

49 trips taken between 2000 - 2019 costing $170,287

See map of trips

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

» see more

Personal Financial Disclosures

Disclosures as a member:

Annual: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2017 (Amendment), 2016, 2015, 2015 (Amendment), 2014, 2014 (Amendment), 2014 (Amendment), 2014 (Amendment), 2013, 2013 (Amendment), 2013 (Amendment), 2012, 2012 (Amendment), 2011, 2011 (Amendment), 2010, 2010 (Amendment), 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003
Extension Letter: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
Stock transaction: 11/18/2016 (Amendment)
» see more

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Turnover Index: 0.66
(House Average: 0.25)
» See more

Staff Salary Rate:

Office Median Annual Salary: $74,092.14
» See more

Staff Salaries Paid:

» See full staffer list

» view all salaries

Committees

House Homeland Security Committee Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee

House Homeland Security Committee Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee

House Judiciary Committee

House Judiciary Committee Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

House Judiciary Committee Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee, Ranking Member

House Judiciary Committee Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement Subcommittee

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

Caucuses

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Rep. Beatty aide moves to anti-hunger group

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Former chief of staff returns to Rep. Jackson Lee

Posted by on Jan. 8, 2020
Leon Buck Jr., who served multiple past stints as Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's (D-Texas) chief of staff, has returned to the representative's office as senior policy director and counsel. read more
GOPer leads House in worst 2018 staff turnover - but Dems hold all-time records

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A Republican led Congress in the worst staff turnover of 2018 - but the worst all-time offenders are still Democrats, according to a LegiStorm staffer salary analysis. read more
Ex-aide returns to Hill for Rep. Beatty

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92 members of Congress did not file financial disclosures

Posted by Daimon Eklund on June 14, 2012
The filings of 17 senators and 75 representatives were not available when the personal financial dislcosures were released Thursday. read more
Posted by LegiStorm on Feb. 21, 2012
The former chief of staff to Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) disclosed a hefty tax liability when he finally filed his termination financial disclosure - more than a year late. read more
Nearly 50 members have yet to file financial disclosures

Posted by LegiStorm on July 19, 2011
Half of the members of Congress who received extensions to file their personal financial disclosures at the May deadline have since filed, leaving nearly 50 lawmakers who have yet to file. read more
Rep. Johnson's amended disclosure reveals lack of trip reporting

Posted by LegiStorm on July 12, 2011
Four members of the Congressional Black Caucus failed to file required trip disclosures for a conference organized by a one-time congressional aide and now-convicted felon. The conference came one week after several of their CBC colleagues were caught on videotape at a Caribbean conference whose lack of disclosure of corporate underwriters led to a House ethics committee rebuke and criminal charges. read more
Many lawmakers granted financial disclosure extensions

Posted by LegiStorm on June 15, 2011
Twenty senators and 75 representatives requested an extension of the May deadline and did not have a 2011 personal financial disclosures in today's release. read more

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