Her family announced her death in a statement Friday, but did not specify a cause. The news, however, comes just over a month since the Texas Democrat revealed she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had been undergoing treatment.
She was first elected to the House in 1994. Jackson Lee served on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget Committees. She was also chief deputy whip for the House Democrats and a vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Her colleagues posted messages honoring the congresswoman’s tenure and offering condolences to her family.
Fellow Texas Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett posted a photo of the two women wearing pink outfits on social media platform X.
“Tonight, Texans all over are mourning the loss of a legend, true leader for social justice, public servant, and my friend, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee,” Crockett said, adding that the late Jackson Lee was a “fierce advocate” who never backed down.
“If you ever needed a living example of servant leadership, you could look no further — Congresswoman Jackson Lee was compassionate, resilient, and most importantly, always willing to do the work!” she wrote.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) called Jackson Lee a “tough, principled and gracious.”
“As a black woman in Texas you carried yourself in a way that demanded respect amid the racism and misogyny you encountered,” Castro wrote on X. “I don’t think people realize how hard you worked every day.”
Castro said Jackson Lee made a difference for her community, for Houston and for the country. “You really mattered, Sheila,” he added.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she had learned about Jackson Lee’s death with “deep sadness.”
