Jackson Lee again named 'meanest' Congress member

The Washingtonian has once again ranked Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, as the meanest Democratic Congress member for 2014, but what does that mean? We took a look at previous stories of the congresswoman and found more than a dozen accounts of erratic behavior as told by former employees.

less The Washingtonian has once again ranked Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, as the meanest Democratic Congress member for 2014, but what does that mean? We took a look at previous stories of the congresswoman ... more Photo: Melissa Phillip Photo: Melissa Phillip Image 1 of / 36 Caption Close Jackson Lee again named 'meanest' Congress member 1 / 36 Back to Gallery

If you pay attention to local politics long enough, you'll no doubt hear the phrase: "I've never heard of a camera that Sheila Jackson Lee didn't love."

Still, it's likely the Democratic representative isn't enjoying this kind of spotlight: The Washingtonian has again awarded Jackson Lee, D-Houston, the position of meanest Congress member among Democrats.

The "award" is part of the magazine's biennial survey "The Best & Worst of Congress." The survey allows congressional employees to anonymously rate their bosses on the Hill.

For Jackson Lee, it's not the first time she's won the "meanest" title. These wins might have something to do with this: An analysis done by they Houston Chronicle in 2011 revealed the congresswoman had the highest turnover among staff in the Houston delegation over the past decade.

Former Houston Chronicle columnist Rick Casey spoke to several former aides to Jackson Lee who all spoke of her erratic and abusive behavior in the workplace. Among the weird stories was one that involved her constituents' funerals.

"One job of aides is to cull the obituaries," Casey wrote. "One told friends of taking her to five funerals in one day, and of hating to have to ask the families if they would allow her to speak."

Other staff have also come forward to the Houston Press and the Daily Caller with similar and not-so-similar stories of the congresswoman's behavior.

Her supporters say those who've filtered out of her office simply did not meet the standards expected of them on Capitol Hill. In a statement made in response to our 2011 analysis, Jackson Lee's office said staff members work hard and have fun.

"Further, I am delighted for the new opportunities my staff has been able to secure after their service in our office," she said in the statement.

You can read the nightmarish stories former aides have spilled about the House representative in the gallery above.