Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s Profanity-Laced Tirade Against Staff Member
Recently, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat from Texas, was caught on recorded audio berating one of her staff members using profanity. In the tirade, she called him and another staff member “f- -k-ups” and said they had no brains. Known as one of the “meanest” members of Congress, Jackson Lee has represented a district in Houston, Texas for over 28 years and was endorsed by Hillary Clinton.
Jackson Lee’s Bid for Houston Mayor
In March, Jackson Lee announced her candidacy for the mayor of Houston in an off-year election. If elected, this would mark the end of her time in Congress.
Audio Recording Reveals Verbal Abuse
An audio recording obtained by Texas newspaper Current Revolt captures Jackson Lee speaking with a male staff member. She confronts him about a piece of paper related to an event by Ovide Duncantell, founder of the Black Heritage Society, Inc. When the staff member explains that he gave the paper to another staffer, Jackson Lee unleashes a profanity-laced tirade, expressing her frustration and demanding a competent staff.
Past Incidents and Controversies
This is not the first time Jackson Lee has been involved in such incidents. In 2011, a report by the Daily Caller revealed that she used demeaning language and name-calling towards her staff members. She was also accused of making her staff work long hours and demanding them to drive her everywhere, regardless of the distance.
In 2019, Jackson Lee was forced to resign as the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) following a lawsuit by a former employee. The employee claimed she was fired in retaliation for planning legal action related to an alleged rape by a supervisor in 2015. The lawsuit was later dismissed in 2020.
Conclusion
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s recent profanity-laced tirade against a staff member is just one example of her controversial behavior throughout her career in Congress. Her bid for the mayor of Houston may mark the end of her time in Congress, but her reputation as a demanding and confrontational figure remains.