At a solar eclipse event in Houston, Texas, Rep. Jackson Lee made scientifically inaccurate comments about the moon and the sun, leading to widespread criticism.
The Daily Caller reported that during the viewing at Booker T. Washington High School, Democratic Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee gave attendees information about the celestial bodies, which was quickly pointed out as erroneous. The lawmaker characterized the moon as composed of gases and described the sun as so intensely hot that it was "almost impossible" for humans to approach, statements that did not align with scientific facts.
Her comments drew immediate attention because of her previous role as a Ranking Member of the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, which would presuppose a certain understanding of basic astronomical facts.
Social media critics, including talk show host Michael Berry and former Fox News associate producer Kyle Becker, did not hold back in their mockery of Rep. Jackson Lee’s articulations. They joined a chorus of voices questioning the accuracy and implications of her statements in a field critical to her past legislative responsibilities.
In response to the controversy, NASA clarified the actual composition of the moon and the high temperature of the sun. The space agency confirmed that the sun's surface temperature is about 27 million degrees Fahrenheit, facilitating nuclear fusion, and not merely "too hot" in the simplistic terms Lee used. Moreover, the moon is made of solid materials, including iron and nickel, rather than gases as claimed.
Sheila Jackson Lee, who has also campaigned for the position of Houston mayor, is no stranger to public and media scrutiny. Her commentary on topics ranging from COVID-19’s disparate impact on African Americans to the interplay of transgender ideology and religious beliefs has previously fueled debates.
In November 2022, the congresswoman linked the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on black Americans directly to the enduring legacy of slavery. She highlighted significant disparities in infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths among racial groups.
Further, in July 2023, Lee discussed the relationship between transgender ideology and religion, stating no religious leaders she had spoken with found the issue to conflict with their faiths. These remarks have been part of a broader conversation on how political figures navigate complex social issues.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee commented on the moon's composition and the sun's temperature, stating that the moon is made of "gases" and suggesting that the sun's heat nearly prevents any close approach. During an event, she described a full moon as "a complete, rounded circle" and questioned the feasibility of living on the moon based on its gaseous state.
A full moon is a complete, rounded circle. The question is how could we live on the moon? Are the gases such that we can do that?
Subsequently, Houston-area talk show host Michael Berry commented, "Imagine you’re in high school and the speaker on the day of the eclipse is... Sheila Jackson Lee. Enjoy these pearls of wisdom from this national treasure."
The overarching narrative of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s scientific inaccuracies, contextualized within her history of contentious statements, points to a broader dialogue about accountability, expertise, and the responsibility of elected officials to provide factually correct information.
The unfolding dialogue surrounding Rep. Lee’s remarks transcends the immediate laughter and criticism on social media, posing profound questions about the expectations placed on public figures in conveying scientific knowledge. It also taps into ongoing discussions concerning the role of politicians in shaping public perceptions of science and technology.
