Consultant Sheila Jackson Lee, Democrat of Texas, stated 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 many years within the Home, stated in an announcement that she was present process a therapy plan mapped out by her workforce of medical doctors. She added that “the street forward is not going to be simple” and would seemingly result in occasional absences.
The announcement comes as attendance within the Home 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. Each events have confused the significance of full attendance to do their finest to drive their legislative agendas.
In February, a Republican try to impeach Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland safety secretary, was defeated by a single vote when Consultant Al Inexperienced, Democrat of Texas, shocked his colleagues with a dramatic arrival on the Home flooring in a hospital robe to forged the vital vote. The impeachment fees later handed by a single vote when one other ailing member, Consultant Steve Scalise, Republican of Louisiana and the Home majority chief, returned to Washington after receiving therapy for blood most cancers.
Although pancreatic most cancers is taken into account comparatively uncommon, it has just lately gained renewed consideration after a number of high-profile folks have been recognized and succumbed to the illness. They embrace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Consultant John Lewis, the Georgia Democrat and civil rights chief; the “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek; and the Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
Therapy choices for the illness can range, and embrace surgical interventions, radiation remedy or chemotherapy. Usually 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 might be again at full power 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 supplies.
“As I pursue my remedies, it’s seemingly that I might be sometimes absent from Congress, however relaxation assured my workplace will proceed to ship the very important constituent providers that you simply deserve and count on,” she wrote within the assertion.
Ms. Jackson Lee is coming off an unsuccessful marketing campaign for mayor in Houston final yr. After the loss, she emerged from a Democratic main in March with 60 p.c of the vote within the solidly blue district. The final election in November is more likely to be the best electoral problem of the three contests.
