Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, Democrat of Texas, mentioned on Sunday that she has been recognized with pancreatic most cancers however plans to proceed her work in Congress as she undergoes therapy.
Ms. Jackson Lee, who at 74 has served almost three a long time within the House, mentioned in a press release that she was present process a therapy plan mapped out by her group of medical doctors. She added that “the street forward won’t be simple” and would seemingly result in occasional absences.
The announcement comes as attendance within the House of Representatives has obtained extra consideration than earlier years due to the traditionally slim majority Republicans maintain over Democrats: They now maintain 217 seats to Democrats’ 213. Both events have pressured the significance of full attendance to do their finest to drive their legislative agendas.
In February, a Republican try and impeach Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland safety secretary, was defeated by a single vote when Representative Al Green, Democrat of Texas, stunned his colleagues with a dramatic arrival on the House flooring in a hospital robe to solid the important vote. The impeachment fees later handed by a single vote when one other ailing member, Representative Steve Scalise, Republican of Louisiana and the House majority chief, returned to Washington after receiving therapy for blood most cancers.
Though pancreatic most cancers is taken into account comparatively uncommon, it has not too long ago gained renewed consideration after a number of high-profile folks have been recognized and succumbed to the illness. They embody Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Representative John Lewis, the Georgia Democrat and civil rights chief; the “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek; and the Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
Treatment choices for the illness can fluctuate, and embody surgical procedure, radiation remedy or chemotherapy. Often medical doctors will use a mixture of remedies relying on the affected person’s total well being and age. Ms. Jackson Lee didn’t disclose any details about her therapy plan however requested for supporters to maintain her and her household of their prayers.
“By God’s grace, I shall be again at full energy quickly,” she wrote.
She additionally informed her constituents in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, which incorporates Houston and surrounding left-leaning cities, to not count on any disruptions within the providers her workplace gives.
“As I pursue my remedies, it’s seemingly that I shall be often absent from Congress, however relaxation assured my workplace will proceed to ship the very important constituent providers that you just deserve and count on,” she wrote within the assertion.
Ms. Jackson Lee is coming off an unsuccessful marketing campaign for mayor in Houston final 12 months. After the loss, she emerged from a Democratic major in March with 60 % of the vote within the solidly blue district. The normal election in November is more likely to be the simplest electoral problem of the three contests.