Rep. Summer Lee Statement on 250th Anniversary of the United States of America
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 4, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) released the following statement on the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
“America's story has always been shaped by a promise of a country built by and for the people. Every step toward freedom and equality was fought for by folks who organized, marched, voted, and died so that this country could live up to its ideals.
“250 years later, however, our democracy is failing. Attacks on voting rights, growing political extremism, and the outsized influence of billionaires and corporations are pushing us further into authoritarianism. Too many families in Western Pennsylvania and across the country are still fighting for affordable housing, healthcare, good-paying jobs, clean air and water, and the basic dignity that every person deserves. Black, brown, indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQ+, disabled, and working-class communities continue to bear the weight of systems that were never built to serve us all. Instead of working towards a more equitable and affordable country, this administration is patting itself on the back with disruptive flyovers and makeovers of the White House.
“If we want our country to see another 250 years, we must push ourselves to protect our freedoms, strengthen our democracy, and build a country where everyone—not just the wealthy and well-connected—can thrive. That's the unfinished promise of America, and it's our responsibility to keep fighting for it. I believe we can get there.”
Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Judiciary and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, she has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.7 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs. Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 4,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.