Texas Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said Sunday that she has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer but plans to continue serving in Congress while undergoing treatment.
Jackson Lee, 74, who has served in the House for nearly three decades, said in a statement that he was following a treatment plan laid out by his doctors, adding that “the road ahead will not be easy” and that he would be absent from office at times.
The announcement comes as House attendance is being watched more closely than usual because Republicans hold a historically slim majority over Democrats, who currently have 217 seats and Democrats 213. Both parties have stressed the importance of full attendance to best advance their legislative agendas.
In February, a Republican attempt to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas failed by one vote after Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, surprised his colleagues by dramatically appearing on the House floor in a hospital gown to cast a key vote. The impeachment charges then passed by one vote after another ailing member, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), returned to Washington after completing treatment for blood cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is considered a relatively rare disease, but it has recently been brought back into the spotlight after several prominent figures were diagnosed with and died from the disease, including Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Georgia Democrat and civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis, “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek, and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
Treatment options for the disease are varied and include surgical intervention, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Often, doctors use a combination of treatments depending on the patient’s overall health and age. Jackson Lee did not reveal any information about her treatment plan, but asked her supporters to pray for her and her family.
“By God’s grace I will soon make a full recovery,” she wrote.
She also said there would be no disruption to services her office provides to voters in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, which includes Houston and surrounding left-leaning cities.
“While I will be absent from Congress at times as my treatment continues, please rest assured that my office will continue to provide the essential constituent services you deserve and expect,” she said in a statement.
Jackson Lee ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Houston last year. After losing, he went on to win the Democratic primary in March with 60% of the vote in this heavily Democratic district. The general election in November is likely to be the easiest of the three races.
