Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s family announced on Friday that the Texas Congresswoman had died after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Lee’s family released a statement which was posted to her official X account on Friday evening.

pic.twitter.com/8vyRtb4npD

— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) July 20, 2024

“Today, with incredible grief for our loss yet deep gratitude for the life she shared with us, we announce the passing of United States Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District of Texas,” the statement began.

“A fierce champion of the people, 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,” in continued. “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.”

“Her legislative victories impacted millions, from establishing the Juneteenth Federal Holiday to reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. However, she impacted us most as our beloved wife, sister, mother, and Bebe (grandmother). She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy,” the official statement concluded. “God bless you Congresswoman and God bless the United States of America.”

A number of colleagues and friends offered their tributes to the late Congresswoman via X, including Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) who noted that despite their political differences, he had been proud to work with Lee on several initiatives.

“It is with profound sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a devoted leader, a proud-fellow Houstonian, and someone who I was proud to call a friend,” he said. “Although we had our political disagreements, there were many moments with her, both public and private that showed me that bipartisanship and service to country first can still bring members of Congress together.”

“In these divided times, Congresswoman Lee and I were able to partner on several legislative initiatives for the city of the Houston. Her steadfast commitment to serving the people of Houston and her tireless work have left an indelible mark on our community and our nation. Her legacy of dedication and compassion will continue to inspire us all,” he added. “Emily and I extend our thoughts and prayers to her family and loved ones during this difficult time. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched and those she served.”

It is with profound sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a devoted leader, a proud-fellow Houstonian, and someone who I was proud to call a friend.

Although we had our political disagreements, there were many moments with her, both public… https://t.co/vbG5UdlCca

— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) July 20, 2024

Lee announced her diagnosis just over a month prior to her passing.

The 20-year-old shooter who opened fire on a Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump rally last Saturday was reportedly able to obtain aerial surveillance footage using a drone prior to the event.

According to the latest report from The Wall Street Journal, the would-be assassin was able to fly a drone along a “programmed flight path” just hours before the July 13 rally began. Officials told the WSJ the fact that the flight path was preprogrammed led them to conclude that he had flown the drone over the venue “more than once as he researched and scoped out the event site.”

Josh Kraushaar shared the WSJ’s report along with a brief quote from the article as a caption: “WSJ, breaking: ‘The gunman who tried to kill Donald Trump was able to fly a drone and get aerial footage of the western Pennsylvania fairgrounds shortly before the former president was set to speak there, law-enforcement officials briefed on the matter said, further underscoring the stunning security lapses ahead of Trump’s near assassination.'”

https://t.co/Jst6T7xLTD

— Josh Kraushaar (@JoshKraushaar) July 19, 2024

Donald Trump Jr. responded to the report as well, noting that at one point he had been barred from flying his own drone on the beach near his family’s home simply because his father had been inside the house at the time.

“Just to underscore how crazy this all is, I was once prevented flying MY OWN drone off of the beach at Mar-a-Lago by USSS because my father was inside the house… Now we have one literally scouting his speech!!!” he posted on X.

Just to underscore how crazy this all is, I was once prevented flying MY OWN drone off of the beach at Mar-a-Lago by USSS because my father was inside the house…
Now we have one literally scouting his speech!!! 🤬 https://t.co/M3BAENqT4f

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 20, 2024

Senator Josh Hawley pointed out the disparity, noting that the Secret Service detail assigned to the event had not used drones to surveil the area — a move that might have clued them in to the shooter’s whereabouts much sooner.

“Yet Secret Service did NOT use drones themselves on the day. The shooter was prepared. They were not,” he remarked.

Yet Secret Service did NOT use drones themselves on the day. The shooter was prepared. They were not https://t.co/knZpGjSrZN

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 19, 2024

“The more we learn, the more clear it is that Director Cheatle needs to resign. This information should have been provided to lawmakers on our briefing, not leaked to the media,” Senator Marsha Blackburn added.

The more we learn, the more clear it is that Director Cheatle needs to resign. This information should have been provided to lawmakers on our briefing, not leaked to the media. https://t.co/kVKupfR1wB

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) July 20, 2024

The Secret Service has been fielding questions about the multiple apparent lapses in security at the Saturday rally, not the least of which being how the shooter was able to attain an elevated position with a clear line of sight under 200 yards from where President Trump was speaking.