Congresswoman Summer Lee Sworn in for Second Term, Renews Commitment to Fighting for Pennsylvania’s Families
**For Immediate Release**
Kyla Gill, Kyla.Gill@mail.house.gov
Vaibhav Vijay, Vaibhav.Vijay@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman Summer Lee Sworn in for Second Term, Renews Commitment to Fighting for Pennsylvania’s Families
WASHINGTON D.C. – JANUARY 3RD, 2025 — Today, Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) was sworn into the 119th Congress to begin her second term in the United States House of Representatives. Representing Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, Congresswoman Lee continues to make history and champion the voices of the people who have been left out and left behind for far too long.
“It’s an honor to serve the hardworking people of Pennsylvania’s 12th District,” said Congresswoman Lee. “As I take this oath for the second time, I’m laser-focused on what matters most: delivering for our families, our workers, our students, our seniors, and our communities. My constituents deserve a government that fights for them—not for billionaires, special interests, or corporate PACs. That’s why I’m not just rolling up my sleeves to tackle the housing crisis, fight for clean air and water, and make healthcare a right—not a privilege—but also to take on the root of so many of these issues: getting big money out of politics and fixing a broken system that works for the few at the expense of the many. While Republicans are busy playing political games and protecting the status quo, you can count on me to be fighting for a government that truly works for the people—and getting things done.”
During her first term, Congresswoman Lee delivered over $2.44 billion in federal investments for Western Pennsylvania. These historic investments have revitalized infrastructure and transit, ensured cleaner air and drinking water, created affordable housing, funded research institutions, promoted STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boosted workforce development, and created thousands of good-paying, union jobs. Some notable achievements include $600 million to expand affordable housing in Pittsburgh, $52.4 million for the EPA to clean water and remove lead, and $50 million to revitalize the Hill District.
Congresswoman Lee’s efforts have also included securing funding for projects such as modernizing sewer systems, expanding childcare and job training programs, providing electric school buses, and improving public transit accessibility. These initiatives reflect her dedication to uplifting working-class families, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring a brighter future for students and seniors alike.
As Congresswoman Lee begins her second term, she has outlined an ambitious agenda centered on transformative change. Some of her priorities include:
- Affordable Housing: Expanding access to safe, affordable housing to ensure every family has a place to call home while revitalizing communities and addressing homelessness.
- Criminal Justice Reform: Advocating for policies that address systemic inequities in the justice system and promote rehabilitation and fairness.
- Combating Environmental Racism: Fighting to ensure that all communities, especially those historically marginalized, have access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment.
- Strengthening Democracy: Tackling the outsized influence of money in politics and working to safeguard voting rights and democratic processes.
- Economic Justice: Championing equitable economic policies that support working families, promote fair wages, and reduce income inequality.
- Health Equity & Access: Ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for all, addressing health disparities, and expanding resources for underserved communities.
“The challenges we face are great, but so is the resilience and determination of the people I am privileged to represent,” continued Congresswoman Lee. “In this new term, I will continue to bring the voices of our communities to the halls of Congress, ensuring that our government works for all of us—not just the wealthy and well-connected. Together, we will fight for justice, equity, and opportunity for every person in Pennsylvania’s 12th District and beyond.”
Congresswoman Lee’s second term will build on a record of delivering real results for Pennsylvania’s 12th District. As one of the only members of the House to never miss a single vote, she has proven her commitment to ensuring that every voice in our district is heard. Beyond her legislative work, Congresswoman Lee has prioritized hands-on service to constituents, helping over 2,800 individuals navigate federal agencies to resolve urgent issues. From assisting with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services cases—including visa requests, asylum cases, and citizenship applications—to securing urgent passport services and helping families access Social Security, Medicare, and veteran benefits, her team has been a lifeline for many. One major recent success includes securing travel authorizations to bring a Ukrainian family, including a child with disabilities, to safety in the United States.
Olga Kutchinskaya, constituent of PA-12 said, “Thanks to Congresswoman Summer Lee’s incredible team, we were able to do the seemingly impossible—secure travel authorizations to bring a Ukrainian family, including a child with disabilities, to safety in the United States. For months, we were stuck in a bureaucratic nightmare, losing hope as deadlines loomed, but everything changed when we reached out to their office. Congresswoman Lee’s staff listened with empathy, acted with urgency, and guided us through a complicated process with unwavering dedication. Their professionalism and compassion were instrumental in cutting through the red tape. Without her team’s advocacy, we would still be stuck and, most likely, out of options. They went above and beyond, and we are forever grateful for their support!”
Congresswoman Lee’s priorities remain clear: fighting for policies that protect seniors, expand educational opportunities, advance economic and racial equity, and deliver real support to the people of PA-12. With a relentless focus on addressing systemic challenges and uplifting working families, Congresswoman Lee is dedicated to building a future where every Pennsylvanian can thrive.
Since taking office in January 2023, Lee, who serves on the House Oversight Committee and Space, Science and Technology Committee, has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2 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 2,800 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.