Longtime Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee urged her supporters to unite behind President Biden just hours before she passed away.
The 15-term Democrat passed away aged 74 on Friday following a battle with pancreatic cancer that she revealed in June.
Hours before her family revealed her passing, Jackson Lee took to X to share her support for Biden as a growing number of her congressional colleagues call for him to drop out.
‘The time is now to unite behind the President and get to work beating Donald Trump — one last time,’ she wrote.
Some called on Democrats to come together behind Biden for Jackson Lee’s ‘dying wish’, urging the fractured party to ‘honor her’ by supporting his floundering re-election campaign.
Longtime Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s death at the age of 74 was announced by her family on Friday
Jackson Lee was an outspoken supporter of President Biden, and earlier in the year shared a smiling selfie of them together where she said he was ‘well prepared to lead this nation’
Hours before her family revealed her passing, Jackson Lee took to X to share her support for Biden as a growing number of her congressional colleagues call for him to drop out
Jackson Lee was known throughout her 30-year career in Congress as a champion of progressive causes, and she served on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget Committees.
In a statement announcing her death this week, Jackson Lee’s family described her as a ‘fierce champion of the people.’
Her support for Biden was far from reserved to her final tweet, with Jackson Lee previously saying there is ‘no greater leadership for this country.’
In March, she shared a smiling selfie with the 81-year-old in Congress, where she also singled out Vice-President Kamala Harris – now seen as Biden’s likely successor if he stepped aside – as ‘well prepared to lead this nation.’
‘In particular, Vice President Harris has shown us she can lead internationally and she can also be a fighter for the issues of women’s and reproductive rights,’ she wrote.
Jackson Lee’s final tweet urged people to ‘unite behind the President and get to work beating Donald Trump — one last time’
‘How outstanding was her quiet and important visit to Planned Parenthood, the first time a President or Vice President has made such a historic visit! She showed the patients and leaders there that she was there to serve them.
‘Let’s fight for the re-election to the Presidency and Vice Presidency of the United States of America of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris!
‘There is no greater leadership for this country! The nation needs to join together and elect them by large numbers. I will be working hard across the nation for their victory!’
Jackson Lee was born in Queens, New York, and went on to attend Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
The 15-term-congresswoman was an outspoken advocate for Black American for decades
First elected in 1994, Jackson Lee’s family said in their statement announcing her death that she became a beloved figure in her community as she was re-elected 14 times.
‘She was affectionately and simply known as ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years,’ the statement read.
‘A local, national, and international humanitarian, she was acknowledged worldwide for her courageous fights for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a special emphasis on women and children.’
The statement listed her legislative victories including establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
When she announced her cancer battle earlier this year, Jackson Lee cautioned her constituents that she would likely be ‘occasionally absent’ from congress while she underwent treatment.
‘My doctors have confirmed my diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I am currently undergoing treatment to battle this disease that impacts tens of thousands of Americans every year,’ Jackson Lee said in a statement in June.
‘I am confident that my doctors have developed the best possible plan to target my specific disease. The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me.’