Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, made a series of inaccurate statements to a group of high school students in Houston during the solar eclipse. She incorrectly referred to the moon as a “planet” and claimed it was predominantly made up of gases, as well as emitting unique light and energy. Jackson Lee also made false claims about the moon’s proximity to Earth and the darkness that would result during the eclipse. She appeared to have difficulty putting on eclipse glasses and warned students not to look directly at the sun.
Following backlash on social media, Jackson Lee attempted to clarify her statements, attributing the errors to misspeaking and criticizing Republicans for focusing on what she deemed “stupid things.” She further defended her actions by asserting her concern for issues such as prenatal care, affordable housing, and student loan debt, suggesting they were more worthy of attention. Jackson Lee’s history of controversial remarks includes previous instances of misinformation and turning such incidents into political issues, as well as accusations of being one of the “meanest” members of Congress to work for.
In a separate incident in 1997, Jackson Lee reportedly demanded to see the flag that astronauts had supposedly planted on Mars during a visit to NASA, despite the fact that no human had ever been to Mars due to its distance. She then accused the space agency of racism and noted her position on the House science committee. Additionally, in a floor speech in March 2014, Jackson Lee incorrectly stated the age of the U.S. Constitution as 400 years old, when it was actually adopted in 1787. These instances reflect a pattern of inaccuracies and misunderstandings related to scientific and historical facts.
Jackson Lee’s behavior has also been criticized by former staff members who accused her of using demeaning language and name-calling, as well as forcing them to work long hours and demanding to be driven by staff everywhere she went. One employee recounted being called a “stupid motherf—-r” by Jackson Lee, while another described an incident involving derogatory remarks in front of her visiting parents. The congresswoman’s alleged mistreatment of staff paints a troubling picture of her leadership style and workplace behavior.
Overall, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s misleading statements to high school students in Houston, history of inaccurate comments, and controversial treatment of staff reflect a pattern of behavior that raises questions about her judgment, knowledge, and leadership abilities. The incidents highlight the importance of accuracy, integrity, and respectful treatment of others in public service, as well as the potential consequences of spreading misinformation and mistreating colleagues. Jackson Lee’s actions underscore the need for elected officials to be held accountable for their words and actions, particularly when interacting with impressionable young people and representing their constituents.
