District Issues
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Safe Communities • Fair Trials & Sentences • Fair Prison Conditions • Rehabilitation
“What is astonishing is that approximately 35 percent of Americans have very little or no confidence in the criminal justice system …The reality is that crime rates have dropped since the early 1990s, but most Americans believe that the rate of crime is increasing…The bills that I authored are intended to make America a better, fairer place, and are intended to assist families and the incarcerated.” – Congresswoman Jackson Lee. (Source)
There is a high cost of crime to individuals, communities, businesses, and the various levels of government which exceeds the billions of dollars spent each year in administering the criminal justice system. It is because of this that Congresswoman Jackson Lee authored innovative legislation aimed at addressing these problems. For example, in the 111th Congress, Jackson Lee sponsored H.R. 265 or the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009 which addresses the disparity between crack and powder cocaine. This bill would reduce the sentences of countless Texans who are caught by the disparity in drug sentencing.
Since May 2007, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has consistently demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the deplorable conditions that have plagued the Harris County Jail and led to at least 101 deaths between 2001 and 2006, at least 72 of which were inmates awaiting court hearings.
Due to the concerted efforts of Congresswoman Jackson Lee, on March 7, 2008, the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ commenced an investigation into the Harris County Jail to determine whether the protection of inmates, environmental conditions, and inmate medical and mental health care illustrated systemic violations of the Constitution of the United States.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Preparedness • Responsiveness • Reliability • Resources • Rebuilding • Partnership
Over the past ten years, more than $167 billion in federal funds has come to Harris County, a great portion of which has been shared by the constituents of the 18th Congressional District. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has generated over $5 billion in funds for the 18th Congressional District. She has secured monies for recovery from Hurricanes Ike, Katrina and Rita and secured funding for the rebuilding of infrastructure and for the Red Cross.
Hurricane Ike
Weeks after Hurricane Ike, the Congresswoman worked with Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Obey of the Appropriations Committee to pass H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, to ensure that FEMA, HUD and the federal government had the resources they needed to assist Houston and the State of Texas in the aftermath of the hurricane. It appropriates $22.9 billion in disaster assistance, which will help communities in Texas and across the nation rebuild, rejuvenate their local economies, and take steps to fortify ourselves from future disasters.
She also worked with Chairman Obey and her fellow Texas colleagues to appropriate $7.9 billion in disaster relief funds for FEMA so that this agency can continue helping communities recover from Hurricane Ike by using these funds for emergency housing, school repairs, debris removal, infrastructure improvements, emergency protective measures, utility repairs, and water facilities.
The Congresswoman has secured funding for a number of projects benefiting the citizens of the 18th congressional district of Texas such as $1 million for Harris County Flood Control District, $200,000 for City of Houston and $200,000 for FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Opportunity • Training • Economic Engines • Small Businesses • New Economy • Support
Congresswoman Jackson Lee has stood firm to protect and promote the economic engines of the Houston community. Whether it is Houston’s energy industry, NASA, the Port, Houston Medical Center or Universities, Jackson Lee has ensured that these industries received federal resources and benefitted from policies to promote sustainability and economic opportunity for District 18.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee held the first federal job fair in Houston at Palm Center July 25, 2009, that attracted over 3,500 citizens to meet with local, state and federal agencies about jobs. A second job fair at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Sept. 19, 2009, where more than 4,500 people showed up to meet with potential employers.
The Congresswoman fought for Houston’s and Texas’ fair share of the federal stimulus bill, bringing nearly $6 billion and 269,000 jobs to our community and our state. In addition, Jackson Lee has worked to extend unemployment benefits, job training and mortgage assistance programs for her constituents who are still waiting for the economic recovery to reach them. Through the bail-out for Wall Street, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has remained vocal on the need to also support Main Street.
In August of 2002, Congresswoman Jackson Lee held two job fairs in Houston in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration to fill newly-created positions within the TSA.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Innovation • Research • Industry • Improved Science Education • Environment
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in 2009 helped secure a $15 million dollar grant for the Houston Ship Channel and $500,000 for the Houston-Galveston Navigation Channels.
In the alternative energy field, the Congresswoman helped win local grants for the National Offshore Wind Energy Center ($1 million) and high Efficiency Solar Energy Generation and Storage ($1 million).
The Congresswoman worked with the authors of the Comprehensive America Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act to include provisions that would ensure that small, minority and women-owned businesses are encouraged and have equal opportunity to bid for offshore leases and that a new National Center of Excellence to conduct research and education in energy and energy-related fields include Historically Black Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Tribally-based Universities and Colleges.
In the Energy Bill now emerging from conference, two major amendments Congresswoman Jackson Lee proposed are being included. One earmarks $5 million per year for grants to fund bioenergy research at HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The other establishes a secondary electric vehicle battery use program. This will enable us to get more use out of expensive electric vehicle batteries by reusing them for off-peak power storage, or emergency power supplies.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee provides turkeys and more to Seniors for the 2009 holiday season.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Respecting Our Elders • Access to Health Care • Economic Security • Family Support
For the second year in a row, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has received a perfect 100% rating from the Alliance for Retired Americans, a nationwide organization of more than 2.5 million union retirees working together to make their voices heard in the laws, policies and politics that shape their lives.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee recently joined Houston residents in expressing outrage over the City of Houston’s neglect of housing repairs for its most vulnerable populace—its senior citizens. The city of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department has had a backlog of thousands of requests for home repairs in the city under the Single Family Home Repair Program, a program that Congresswoman Jackson Lee helped to restart in 2004. This program is designed to address the housing repairs of Houston senior citizens and the disabled who are living on very little income.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee authored amendments to the Elder Justice Act and the Elder Victims Assistance Act. Both acts provided for a comprehensive prosecution for elder abuse and extended myriad protections to elders. Her amendments provide that monies should be given to state and local law enforcement to be used to find elders who get lost because of Alzheimer’s and other ailments.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Affordable Housing • Neighborhood Preservation • Responsible Development • Fair Lending
Congresswoman Jackson Lee believes that Americans need access to affordable, quality housing. She supports the federal public housing program as well as city efforts to create mixed-income communities. Jackson Lee has stood with Houston neighborhoods as they have fought for responsible, sustainable development. The Congresswoman has also supported legislation that holds banks accountable for fair lending practices to ensure that all communities have access to home ownership.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Housing Affairs and Community Affairs, hosted a workshop covering the introductory concepts and considerations in applying for housing tax credits in Texas. The goal of the workshop was to encourage community development corporations and faith organizations to take the lead in rebuilding our neighborhoods.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Bus and Light Rail • Multi-modal • Responsible Development • Community-wide Services
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee helped secure $75 million for METRO’s North Corridor Light Rail Transit in 2009.
She is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to devise ways of further abating noise from Bush Intercontinental Airport.
She helped secure a $6 million dollar grant to expand our hiking and biking trails, which will help the environment and provide increased recreational outlets for our citizens.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee, as Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, authored the legislation to establish a Transportation Security Center of Excellence at Texas Southern University, which will receive $1.2 million over the next four years.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee also brought Transportation Security Administration Administrator Kip Hawley to visit TSU’s Transportation Security Center of Excellence and was able to facilitate a new initiative and partnership between TSA and TSU.
As a member of the House Committee on Science and the subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Congresswoman Jackson Lee provides valuable support to NASA. Due to Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s amendment, funds were restored to NASA in 1999. The Congresswoman has ensured that part of NASA’s funding is used for the recruitment and training of students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In recognition of her contribution to science, the National Technical Association of Scientists and Engineers honored the Congresswoman as one of their 1998 Top Women in the Sciences.
The House passed the NASA Coin bill introduced by Congresswoman Jackson Lee, authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $50 gold coins and $1 silver coins signifying the fifty years of achievements of NASA. Portions of the proceeds from the sale of the coins will be distributed to the NASA Family Assistance Fund, which helps the families of those NASA personnel who were killed in their official capacity, and the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational Science Literacy Foundation.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Service • Patriotism • Peace • Welcoming Troops Home • Supporting Military Families
Congresswoman Jackson Lee has stood strong with all veterans from every military conflict in which the United States has engaged. She has supported legislation that honors their service and provides the benefits they need to have a high quality of life after their military service has ended. Jackson Lee in 2009 voted to expand the GI Bill (post 9/11) to provide enhanced education benefits to military veterans. The Congresswoman has been active in working with the Houston Veteran’s Administration Hospital and other military hospitals to ensure wounded veterans receive adequate health care. Lastly, the Congresswoman has been a voice for military families as they support veterans for it is determination that America should never forget their service and sacrifice.
During the 106th Congress, Congresswoman Jackson Lee successfully spearheaded the passage of House Joint Resolution 98, a bill that she co-authored with Senator Ted Kennedy, which honors all minority veterans who fought or served in World War II.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been able to have included in appropriations bills almost $7 million for a number of specific programs that will benefit the Houston community, including a post-traumatic stress disorder facility to treat veterans in the metropolitan Houston area, including Harris and surrounding counties.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Safe Communities • Fair Trials & Sentences • Fair Prison Conditions • Rehabilitation
“What is astonishing is that approximately 35 percent of Americans have very little or no confidence in the criminal justice system …The reality is that crime rates have dropped since the early 1990s, but most Americans believe that the rate of crime is increasing…The bills that I authored are intended to make America a better, fairer place, and are intended to assist families and the incarcerated.” – Congresswoman Jackson Lee. (Source)
There is a high cost of crime to individuals, communities, businesses, and the various levels of government which exceeds the billions of dollars spent each year in administering the criminal justice system. It is because of this that Congresswoman Jackson Lee authored innovative legislation aimed at addressing these problems. For example, in the 111th Congress, Jackson Lee sponsored H.R. 265 or the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009 which addresses the disparity between crack and powder cocaine. This bill would reduce the sentences of countless Texans who are caught by the disparity in drug sentencing.
Since May 2007, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has consistently demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the deplorable conditions that have plagued the Harris County Jail and led to at least 101 deaths between 2001 and 2006, at least 72 of which were inmates awaiting court hearings.
Due to the concerted efforts of Congresswoman Jackson Lee, on March 7, 2008, the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ commenced an investigation into the Harris County Jail to determine whether the protection of inmates, environmental conditions, and inmate medical and mental health care illustrated systemic violations of the Constitution of the United States.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Preparedness • Responsiveness • Reliability • Resources • Rebuilding • Partnership
Over the past ten years, more than $167 billion in federal funds has come to Harris County, a great portion of which has been shared by the constituents of the 18th Congressional District. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has generated over $5 billion in funds for the 18th Congressional District. She has secured monies for recovery from Hurricanes Ike, Katrina and Rita and secured funding for the rebuilding of infrastructure and for the Red Cross.
Hurricane Ike
Weeks after Hurricane Ike, the Congresswoman worked with Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Obey of the Appropriations Committee to pass H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, to ensure that FEMA, HUD and the federal government had the resources they needed to assist Houston and the State of Texas in the aftermath of the hurricane. It appropriates $22.9 billion in disaster assistance, which will help communities in Texas and across the nation rebuild, rejuvenate their local economies, and take steps to fortify ourselves from future disasters.
She also worked with Chairman Obey and her fellow Texas colleagues to appropriate $7.9 billion in disaster relief funds for FEMA so that this agency can continue helping communities recover from Hurricane Ike by using these funds for emergency housing, school repairs, debris removal, infrastructure improvements, emergency protective measures, utility repairs, and water facilities.
The Congresswoman has secured funding for a number of projects benefiting the citizens of the 18th congressional district of Texas such as $1 million for Harris County Flood Control District, $200,000 for City of Houston and $200,000 for FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Opportunity • Training • Economic Engines • Small Businesses • New Economy • Support
Congresswoman Jackson Lee has stood firm to protect and promote the economic engines of the Houston community. Whether it is Houston’s energy industry, NASA, the Port, Houston Medical Center or Universities, Jackson Lee has ensured that these industries received federal resources and benefitted from policies to promote sustainability and economic opportunity for District 18.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee held the first federal job fair in Houston at Palm Center July 25, 2009, that attracted over 3,500 citizens to meet with local, state and federal agencies about jobs. A second job fair at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Sept. 19, 2009, where more than 4,500 people showed up to meet with potential employers.
The Congresswoman fought for Houston’s and Texas’ fair share of the federal stimulus bill, bringing nearly $6 billion and 269,000 jobs to our community and our state. In addition, Jackson Lee has worked to extend unemployment benefits, job training and mortgage assistance programs for her constituents who are still waiting for the economic recovery to reach them. Through the bail-out for Wall Street, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has remained vocal on the need to also support Main Street.
In August of 2002, Congresswoman Jackson Lee held two job fairs in Houston in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration to fill newly-created positions within the TSA.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Innovation • Research • Industry • Improved Science Education • Environment
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in 2009 helped secure a $15 million dollar grant for the Houston Ship Channel and $500,000 for the Houston-Galveston Navigation Channels.
In the alternative energy field, the Congresswoman helped win local grants for the National Offshore Wind Energy Center ($1 million) and high Efficiency Solar Energy Generation and Storage ($1 million).
The Congresswoman worked with the authors of the Comprehensive America Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act to include provisions that would ensure that small, minority and women-owned businesses are encouraged and have equal opportunity to bid for offshore leases and that a new National Center of Excellence to conduct research and education in energy and energy-related fields include Historically Black Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Tribally-based Universities and Colleges.
In the Energy Bill now emerging from conference, two major amendments Congresswoman Jackson Lee proposed are being included. One earmarks $5 million per year for grants to fund bioenergy research at HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The other establishes a secondary electric vehicle battery use program. This will enable us to get more use out of expensive electric vehicle batteries by reusing them for off-peak power storage, or emergency power supplies.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee provides turkeys and more to Seniors for the 2009 holiday season.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Respecting Our Elders • Access to Health Care • Economic Security • Family Support
For the second year in a row, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has received a perfect 100% rating from the Alliance for Retired Americans, a nationwide organization of more than 2.5 million union retirees working together to make their voices heard in the laws, policies and politics that shape their lives.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee recently joined Houston residents in expressing outrage over the City of Houston’s neglect of housing repairs for its most vulnerable populace—its senior citizens. The city of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department has had a backlog of thousands of requests for home repairs in the city under the Single Family Home Repair Program, a program that Congresswoman Jackson Lee helped to restart in 2004. This program is designed to address the housing repairs of Houston senior citizens and the disabled who are living on very little income.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee authored amendments to the Elder Justice Act and the Elder Victims Assistance Act. Both acts provided for a comprehensive prosecution for elder abuse and extended myriad protections to elders. Her amendments provide that monies should be given to state and local law enforcement to be used to find elders who get lost because of Alzheimer’s and other ailments.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Affordable Housing • Neighborhood Preservation • Responsible Development • Fair Lending
Congresswoman Jackson Lee believes that Americans need access to affordable, quality housing. She supports the federal public housing program as well as city efforts to create mixed-income communities. Jackson Lee has stood with Houston neighborhoods as they have fought for responsible, sustainable development. The Congresswoman has also supported legislation that holds banks accountable for fair lending practices to ensure that all communities have access to home ownership.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Housing Affairs and Community Affairs, hosted a workshop covering the introductory concepts and considerations in applying for housing tax credits in Texas. The goal of the workshop was to encourage community development corporations and faith organizations to take the lead in rebuilding our neighborhoods.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Bus and Light Rail • Multi-modal • Responsible Development • Community-wide Services
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee helped secure $75 million for METRO’s North Corridor Light Rail Transit in 2009.
She is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to devise ways of further abating noise from Bush Intercontinental Airport.
She helped secure a $6 million dollar grant to expand our hiking and biking trails, which will help the environment and provide increased recreational outlets for our citizens.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee, as Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, authored the legislation to establish a Transportation Security Center of Excellence at Texas Southern University, which will receive $1.2 million over the next four years.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee also brought Transportation Security Administration Administrator Kip Hawley to visit TSU’s Transportation Security Center of Excellence and was able to facilitate a new initiative and partnership between TSA and TSU.
As a member of the House Committee on Science and the subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Congresswoman Jackson Lee provides valuable support to NASA. Due to Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s amendment, funds were restored to NASA in 1999. The Congresswoman has ensured that part of NASA’s funding is used for the recruitment and training of students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In recognition of her contribution to science, the National Technical Association of Scientists and Engineers honored the Congresswoman as one of their 1998 Top Women in the Sciences.
The House passed the NASA Coin bill introduced by Congresswoman Jackson Lee, authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $50 gold coins and $1 silver coins signifying the fifty years of achievements of NASA. Portions of the proceeds from the sale of the coins will be distributed to the NASA Family Assistance Fund, which helps the families of those NASA personnel who were killed in their official capacity, and the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational Science Literacy Foundation.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Service • Patriotism • Peace • Welcoming Troops Home • Supporting Military Families
Congresswoman Jackson Lee has stood strong with all veterans from every military conflict in which the United States has engaged. She has supported legislation that honors their service and provides the benefits they need to have a high quality of life after their military service has ended. Jackson Lee in 2009 voted to expand the GI Bill (post 9/11) to provide enhanced education benefits to military veterans. The Congresswoman has been active in working with the Houston Veteran’s Administration Hospital and other military hospitals to ensure wounded veterans receive adequate health care. Lastly, the Congresswoman has been a voice for military families as they support veterans for it is determination that America should never forget their service and sacrifice.
During the 106th Congress, Congresswoman Jackson Lee successfully spearheaded the passage of House Joint Resolution 98, a bill that she co-authored with Senator Ted Kennedy, which honors all minority veterans who fought or served in World War II.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been able to have included in appropriations bills almost $7 million for a number of specific programs that will benefit the Houston community, including a post-traumatic stress disorder facility to treat veterans in the metropolitan Houston area, including Harris and surrounding counties.
National Issues
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Educational Opportunity * Safety * Access to Health Care * Stronger Families *
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee co-founded and chairs the Congressional Children’s Caucus. It is her fundamental belief that every vote she makes will create a better or worse future for America’s children. It is her goal to work her colleagues and constituents to create the future that America’s children deserve.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee advocates on behalf of children to ensure their voice is heard. Whether it is ensuring the safety of their school environment like at Houston’s Key Middle School or monitoring schools in Iraq, Jackson Lee believes children should feel secure at school. In every policy debate and legislation she writes, Congresswoman Jackson Lee asks “what about the children?”
Congresswoman Jackson Lee authored critical amendments to the School Safety Enhancement Act. The amendments require that schools create a hotline so that students can report hazardous chemicals or conditions and terrorist attacks, set up a Safety Task force and provides that the school should have an action plan in place to respond to hazardous condition and chemicals.
The Congresswoman has collaborated with the Children’s Defense Fund and other key organization to support the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, expansions of Head Start, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
A crusader for strong anti-hate crime legislation, Congresswoman Jackson Lee worked tirelessly and successfully to secure passage of H.Res. 535 by an overwhelming vote of 402-3 to help combat the scourge of hate crimes and hate-motivated conduct. This resolution paid tribute to the late David Ray Ritcheson, whose testimony before the Judiciary Committee was indispensable to the passage of H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Justice * Civil Liberty * The Bill of Rights * Equal Protections Under the Law *
As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been a guardian of the Constitution, the bastion of American’s civil rights and liberties, and the protector of the intellectual property rights that have made America the technological leader of the world.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Access * Prevention * Expanding Medical Research * Reform * Medical Professionals
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is fighting to ensure that physician-owned hospitals, such as St. Joseph Medical Center in her district, are protected and has worked to save the hospitals that are currently treating patients or are under development to ensure that Americans can continue to receive healthcare at the local facilities they have come to depend on.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee works to ensure that the middle class and our most vulnerable populations receive the healthcare coverage and access they need.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Affordability * Access * Quality * Student Support * Innovative Programs *Research *
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has worked closely with the University of Houston, Texas Southern University and other institutions of higher learning throughout the 18th Congressional District to ensure that students have access to a higher education. Jackson Lee has consistently voted to provide student loan relief and to increase federal Pell Grants so that all families can afford to send their children to college. Jackson Lee has worked closely with Houston’s Community College system to ensure that innovative programs are brought to District 18.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee continues to believe that a higher education is the gateway to advanced opportunity. She has stood strong with minority-serving institutions as they serve critical student populations. Most recently, in H.R. 3293 Labor Education HHS Appropriations Bill, the Congresswoman worked to include funding that would be allocated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions.
In the new economy, Americans will need the education and research that can be found at institutions of higher learning. Congresswoman Jackson Lee will continue to be an advocate for student access to an affordable, quality higher education.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee played a major role in the passage of H.R. 1908, the Patent Reform Act of 2007, the first major reform of the nation’s patent law in more than 50 years.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Safety * Intelligence Gathering * Technological Advancement * Inter-governmental Collaboration *
As a senior Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and the first Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has worked tirelessly to ensure the security of this great nation. She has held vital hearings and markups of legislation on an array of topics which have addressed the need for mandatory training of rail and mass transit workers; improving airport security at our large and small airports; greater government oversight over foreign ownership and investment in our nation’s critical infrastructure; securing our nation from cross border trucking; bolstering chemical security; and enhancing cyber security.
Jackson Lee believes that security is fundamental to America’s future prosperity and she will continue to remain vigilant about this critical issue.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Opportunity * Equal Pay for Equal Work * The Right to Choose * Family Friendly Policies *
Congresswoman Jackson Lee believes that women deserve the same opportunity as men to obtain an education, pursue a career and earn a fair wage for a day’s work. As a working mother, the Congresswoman is very familiar with the challenges women face in balancing family with other obligations. Jackson Lee was an original co-sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment legislation because she is a strong advocate for equal opportunity and rights for women.
As a global citizen and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Jackson Lee is concerned about the treatment of women in countries around the world. In her travels to places such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan, Jackson Lee always seeks to learn about the status of women. Congresswoman Jackson Lee believes that America should lend its voice to the call of freedom and opportunity for women around the world.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Educational Opportunity * Safety * Access to Health Care * Stronger Families *
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee co-founded and chairs the Congressional Children’s Caucus. It is her fundamental belief that every vote she makes will create a better or worse future for America’s children. It is her goal to work her colleagues and constituents to create the future that America’s children deserve.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee advocates on behalf of children to ensure their voice is heard. Whether it is ensuring the safety of their school environment like at Houston’s Key Middle School or monitoring schools in Iraq, Jackson Lee believes children should feel secure at school. In every policy debate and legislation she writes, Congresswoman Jackson Lee asks “what about the children?”
Congresswoman Jackson Lee authored critical amendments to the School Safety Enhancement Act. The amendments require that schools create a hotline so that students can report hazardous chemicals or conditions and terrorist attacks, set up a Safety Task force and provides that the school should have an action plan in place to respond to hazardous condition and chemicals.
The Congresswoman has collaborated with the Children’s Defense Fund and other key organization to support the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, expansions of Head Start, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
A crusader for strong anti-hate crime legislation, Congresswoman Jackson Lee worked tirelessly and successfully to secure passage of H.Res. 535 by an overwhelming vote of 402-3 to help combat the scourge of hate crimes and hate-motivated conduct. This resolution paid tribute to the late David Ray Ritcheson, whose testimony before the Judiciary Committee was indispensable to the passage of H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Justice * Civil Liberty * The Bill of Rights * Equal Protections Under the Law *
As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been a guardian of the Constitution, the bastion of American’s civil rights and liberties, and the protector of the intellectual property rights that have made America the technological leader of the world.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Access * Prevention * Expanding Medical Research * Reform * Medical Professionals
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is fighting to ensure that physician-owned hospitals, such as St. Joseph Medical Center in her district, are protected and has worked to save the hospitals that are currently treating patients or are under development to ensure that Americans can continue to receive healthcare at the local facilities they have come to depend on.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee works to ensure that the middle class and our most vulnerable populations receive the healthcare coverage and access they need.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Affordability * Access * Quality * Student Support * Innovative Programs *Research *
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has worked closely with the University of Houston, Texas Southern University and other institutions of higher learning throughout the 18th Congressional District to ensure that students have access to a higher education. Jackson Lee has consistently voted to provide student loan relief and to increase federal Pell Grants so that all families can afford to send their children to college. Jackson Lee has worked closely with Houston’s Community College system to ensure that innovative programs are brought to District 18.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee continues to believe that a higher education is the gateway to advanced opportunity. She has stood strong with minority-serving institutions as they serve critical student populations. Most recently, in H.R. 3293 Labor Education HHS Appropriations Bill, the Congresswoman worked to include funding that would be allocated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions.
In the new economy, Americans will need the education and research that can be found at institutions of higher learning. Congresswoman Jackson Lee will continue to be an advocate for student access to an affordable, quality higher education.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee played a major role in the passage of H.R. 1908, the Patent Reform Act of 2007, the first major reform of the nation’s patent law in more than 50 years.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Safety * Intelligence Gathering * Technological Advancement * Inter-governmental Collaboration *
As a senior Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and the first Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has worked tirelessly to ensure the security of this great nation. She has held vital hearings and markups of legislation on an array of topics which have addressed the need for mandatory training of rail and mass transit workers; improving airport security at our large and small airports; greater government oversight over foreign ownership and investment in our nation’s critical infrastructure; securing our nation from cross border trucking; bolstering chemical security; and enhancing cyber security.
Jackson Lee believes that security is fundamental to America’s future prosperity and she will continue to remain vigilant about this critical issue.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee stands for:
Opportunity * Equal Pay for Equal Work * The Right to Choose * Family Friendly Policies *
Congresswoman Jackson Lee believes that women deserve the same opportunity as men to obtain an education, pursue a career and earn a fair wage for a day’s work. As a working mother, the Congresswoman is very familiar with the challenges women face in balancing family with other obligations. Jackson Lee was an original co-sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment legislation because she is a strong advocate for equal opportunity and rights for women.
As a global citizen and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Jackson Lee is concerned about the treatment of women in countries around the world. In her travels to places such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan, Jackson Lee always seeks to learn about the status of women. Congresswoman Jackson Lee believes that America should lend its voice to the call of freedom and opportunity for women around the world.
Global Advocacy
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee vigorously opposed the resolution giving the president unfettered authority to launch a first strike against Iraq. She helped to frame and lead the discussion on the serious constitutional issues implicated by the debate to give the president such authority.
Although she opposed launching a preemptive war in Iraq because she viewed it as a diversion from the real War on Terror in Afghanistan, she believes strongly that America cannot leave Iraq in disarray. That is why she has urged the President to develop a timetable with our military commanders personnel on the ground which will enable them to complete the mission in Iraq and allow our service men and women to return home.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee explained that “we’ve created an atmosphere of less violence…now it’s time for the police and the Iraqi soldiers to step in so we can begin to redeploy.” She favors the “responsible redeployment to honor these soldiers — bring them home with honor.” Jackson Lee also said she is “very proud of the work of the military.”
Congresswoman Jackson Lee visited the Middle East last year. In Afghanistan, she noted that while it was on a road to recovery at that time, decades of war had rendered its economy in total disrepair and its environment in a state of crisis. Unfortunately, the situation there has deteriorated, in part because America has not concentrated its resources to fight the War on Terror, which originated in that country and could reemerge if we remain distracted in Iraq.
During her trip to Iraq, she had hoped to observe the progress Iraq is making in becoming a strong, independent, and sovereign nation that can stand on its own two feet and protects its people. Unfortunately, this was very far from the case as the violence in Iraq continues to escalate to the extent that they are on a seemingly constant verge of civil war. The number of American and Iraqi casualties rises exponentially every day just as does the cost of this conflict on our fiscal budget and our international reputation.
“We need the U.S. to take leadership in the process of achieving resolution and to stop this genocide.” – Congresswoman Jackson Lee (Source)
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is deeply committed to working to remedy the humanitarian crisis which is consuming the Darfur region of Sudan. Particularly concerned about the welfare of the children, Rep. Jackson Lee held a briefing on the state of children in Darfur. Following the briefing, she led a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Darfur, where she visited children in refugee camps. Upon her return to the U.S., she introduced legislation condemning in the strongest terms the attacks on African Union peacekeepers that occurred in Haskanita, Darfur, which subsequently passed in the House of Representatives.
In April of 2006, the Congresswoman and four of her colleagues were arrested for protesting outside the Sudanese Embassy. This act of civil disobedience drew widespread and much needed attention to the genocide being inflicted on the people of Darfur.
“…And we (are) here today to insist that the promises be kept on AIDS, but more importantly the promises be kept to the world family who are suffering from HIV/AIDS.“ -Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Serving on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Jackson Lee represents her diverse international constituency and works to ensure that the United States strengthens its relationships with the international community to promote economic development, peace and human rights. More specifically, she sits on the Africa and Global Health sub-committee to promote economic development and fight preventable diseases. She also serves on the Middle East and South Asia subcommittee where they are working to enhance safety and security as well as create opportunity for all.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has met with the leaders of many nations, including Pakistan, the Philippines, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Somalia. She has taken particular interest in the plight of refugees in many countries and has worked to help support them.
After attending the the 6th Annual Forum for Democracy, Development and Free Trade in Doha, Qatar, a meeting of 560 leaders from 78 countries around the world, she saw how communication could build bridges. The success of the Doha Forum is evidence that we must recognize that the forces of globalization are at work and that international dialogue is crucial to providing real solutions to the complex problems facing our world today.
“…And so by falsely presenting to the American people that if we catch Osama bin Laden we’ll end the war on terror, we’ve not been forthright, we’ve not focused our resources, and we also have not designed a political foreign policy approach to address the question of making more friends than enemies.” – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (Source)
Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been vigilant in the effort to keep Americans safe and has asked the tough questions about how we direct resources toward the War on Terror. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, she has been at the forefront of legislation and decisions that have been designed to keep our homeland safe. Jackson Lee believes that we must fight the War on Terror not only with the military and weapons but we must also continue to improve our intelligence gathering and promote information sharing with our allies.
sjlA critical amendment offered by Congresswoman Jackson Lee to H.R. 3773, the “Responsible Electronic Surveillance That Is Overseen, Reviewed, and Effective Act of 2007” (RESTORE Act), that was passed by the House helps strike the proper balance between security and liberty by permitting law enforcement to conduct warrantless surveillance of foreign communications but requires a warrant to be obtained if and when they seek to conduct domestic surveillance on an American by laying down a clear, objective criterion for the Administration to follow and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to enforce in preventing reverse targeting of Americans.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee co-sponsored the Secure Containers from Overseas and Seaports from Terrorism Act which would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop sealing standards for containers and a verification process to ensure containers have not been tampered with. The Secure Coast Act authorized $297 million for the 2006 budget, so that Customs and Border Protection could install port monitors at seaports and the Department of Homeland Security could secure the ports more effectively.
She also co-sponsored the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act. This act directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement a strategic plan to enhance the security of the maritime transportation system and establishes a port security grant program to allocate federal assistance to U.S. ports on the basis of risk and need.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee vigorously opposed the resolution giving the president unfettered authority to launch a first strike against Iraq. She helped to frame and lead the discussion on the serious constitutional issues implicated by the debate to give the president such authority.
Although she opposed launching a preemptive war in Iraq because she viewed it as a diversion from the real War on Terror in Afghanistan, she believes strongly that America cannot leave Iraq in disarray. That is why she has urged the President to develop a timetable with our military commanders personnel on the ground which will enable them to complete the mission in Iraq and allow our service men and women to return home.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee explained that “we’ve created an atmosphere of less violence…now it’s time for the police and the Iraqi soldiers to step in so we can begin to redeploy.” She favors the “responsible redeployment to honor these soldiers — bring them home with honor.” Jackson Lee also said she is “very proud of the work of the military.”
Congresswoman Jackson Lee visited the Middle East last year. In Afghanistan, she noted that while it was on a road to recovery at that time, decades of war had rendered its economy in total disrepair and its environment in a state of crisis. Unfortunately, the situation there has deteriorated, in part because America has not concentrated its resources to fight the War on Terror, which originated in that country and could reemerge if we remain distracted in Iraq.
During her trip to Iraq, she had hoped to observe the progress Iraq is making in becoming a strong, independent, and sovereign nation that can stand on its own two feet and protects its people. Unfortunately, this was very far from the case as the violence in Iraq continues to escalate to the extent that they are on a seemingly constant verge of civil war. The number of American and Iraqi casualties rises exponentially every day just as does the cost of this conflict on our fiscal budget and our international reputation.
“We need the U.S. to take leadership in the process of achieving resolution and to stop this genocide.” – Congresswoman Jackson Lee (Source)
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is deeply committed to working to remedy the humanitarian crisis which is consuming the Darfur region of Sudan. Particularly concerned about the welfare of the children, Rep. Jackson Lee held a briefing on the state of children in Darfur. Following the briefing, she led a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Darfur, where she visited children in refugee camps. Upon her return to the U.S., she introduced legislation condemning in the strongest terms the attacks on African Union peacekeepers that occurred in Haskanita, Darfur, which subsequently passed in the House of Representatives.
In April of 2006, the Congresswoman and four of her colleagues were arrested for protesting outside the Sudanese Embassy. This act of civil disobedience drew widespread and much needed attention to the genocide being inflicted on the people of Darfur.
“…And we (are) here today to insist that the promises be kept on AIDS, but more importantly the promises be kept to the world family who are suffering from HIV/AIDS.“ -Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Serving on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Jackson Lee represents her diverse international constituency and works to ensure that the United States strengthens its relationships with the international community to promote economic development, peace and human rights. More specifically, she sits on the Africa and Global Health sub-committee to promote economic development and fight preventable diseases. She also serves on the Middle East and South Asia subcommittee where they are working to enhance safety and security as well as create opportunity for all.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has met with the leaders of many nations, including Pakistan, the Philippines, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Somalia. She has taken particular interest in the plight of refugees in many countries and has worked to help support them.
After attending the the 6th Annual Forum for Democracy, Development and Free Trade in Doha, Qatar, a meeting of 560 leaders from 78 countries around the world, she saw how communication could build bridges. The success of the Doha Forum is evidence that we must recognize that the forces of globalization are at work and that international dialogue is crucial to providing real solutions to the complex problems facing our world today.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been vigilant in the effort to keep Americans safe and has asked the tough questions about how we direct resources toward the War on Terror. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, she has been at the forefront of legislation and decisions that have been designed to keep our homeland safe. Jackson Lee believes that we must fight the War on Terror not only with the military and weapons but we must also continue to improve our intelligence gathering and promote information sharing with our allies.
sjlA critical amendment offered by Congresswoman Jackson Lee to H.R. 3773, the “Responsible Electronic Surveillance That Is Overseen, Reviewed, and Effective Act of 2007” (RESTORE Act), that was passed by the House helps strike the proper balance between security and liberty by permitting law enforcement to conduct warrantless surveillance of foreign communications but requires a warrant to be obtained if and when they seek to conduct domestic surveillance on an American by laying down a clear, objective criterion for the Administration to follow and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to enforce in preventing reverse targeting of Americans.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee co-sponsored the Secure Containers from Overseas and Seaports from Terrorism Act which would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop sealing standards for containers and a verification process to ensure containers have not been tampered with. The Secure Coast Act authorized $297 million for the 2006 budget, so that Customs and Border Protection could install port monitors at seaports and the Department of Homeland Security could secure the ports more effectively.
She also co-sponsored the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act. This act directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement a strategic plan to enhance the security of the maritime transportation system and establishes a port security grant program to allocate federal assistance to U.S. ports on the basis of risk and need.
