Summer Lee

Honored to be recognized as the Outstanding Government Honoree by the Greater Westmoreland County Labor Council. No better way to talk about the future of organizing than to recognize our labor movement here in Western PA—like the 12K organized at Pitt with USW. Proud to stand with you all.

Pittsburgh is home to some of the country’s most exciting innovations in clean energy & advanced manufacturing. I toured SeaLion Energy’s new South Side facility to learn more about their work advancing safer, longer-lasting, and more sustainable batteries. We discussed the need for increased federal funding to expand their manufacturing and bring good jobs to PA-12.

Western PA deserves infrastructure that is safe & reliable I’m proud to partner with @RepDeluzio to help bring over $11 million in federal funding to Pittsburgh International Airport for critical runway & lighting upgrades. This is your tax dollars at work, right here at home. https://t.co/O8lNoJMQ0t

Nearly 900 healthcare workers at UPMC Magee have spent 8 months negotiating their first union contract. Safe staffing means safer care. These frontline workers deserve a seat at the table and a fair contract. @RepDeluzio, @RepRoKhanna and I are calling on UPMC to bargain in good faith.

Today I joined organizers, researchers, workers, and community leaders at the Community-Centered AI Infrastructure Summit @CarnegieMellon to talk about what AI innovations should look like in Pennsylvania. Leading on AI doesn’t mean more data centers at any cost or an arms race to superintelligence. It means making sure that AI actually improves life for all of us, not just CEOs and oligarchs. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that. We need strong regulations to protect our civil rights, workplace, democracy, environment, and our health.

VIDEO (Dropbox) PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 2, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) joined community organizers, researchers, environmental advocates, labor leaders, and policymakers at Carnegie Mellon University's Community-Centered AI Infrastructure Summit to call for stronger protections for Pennsylvania communities facing the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers. The statewide summit, hosted by Carnegie Mellon University in partnership with Data & Society, the Center for Coalfield Justice, and the Pennsylvania Climate Equity Table, brought together residents and experts to examine the growing demands AI infrastructure places on Pennsylvania's electricity grid, water resources, workforce, and environment. Participants also explored policy solutions and community organizing strategies to inform a Community Action Plan for AI Infrastructure. Drawing on her experience growing up in the Mon Valley, Rep. Lee warned against repeating the mistakes of Pennsylvania's industrial past, when corporations generated enormous wealth while working-class communities were left to bear the costs of pollution, disinvestment, and broken promises. “Here in the Pittsburgh area, we have communities that have been similarly sacrificed. I grew up in one of them,” said Rep. Lee. “ We know what it looks like when these choices are made for us, but not with us. I believe that we have to establish regulatory frameworks before we suffer its consequences. Leading on AI doesn't mean building more data centers at any cost or racing toward superintelligence without considering the consequences. It means making sure that AI actually improves life for all of us, not just the CEOs or oligarchs.” During the summit, Rep. Lee highlighted her cosponsorship of the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, which would temporarily pause new data center construction and the expansion of existing facilities until Congress establishes comprehensive federal safeguards addressing AI's economic, environmental, and safety impacts. She emphasized that the pause must give lawmakers time to establish meaningful protections for communities already facing the consequences of unchecked development. Rep. Lee called for stronger federal, state, and local regulations to address rising electricity and water costs, establish labor standards, increase community transparency, and account for the cumulative environmental and health impacts of industrial development. Drawing on her visit to Memphis, Tennessee, where residents are organizing against the environmental and noise pollution associated with xAI's data center operations, Rep. Lee warned against repeating the mistakes of Pennsylvania's industrial past and allowing corporations to make decisions that affect communities without their input. Rep. Lee also connected the expansion of AI infrastructure to broader concerns about civil rights, workers' livelihoods, environmental harms, and corporate influence in Washington. She warned that unchecked AI could reinforce existing discrimination in healthcare, employment, and policing, while the communities bearing the environmental and economic costs of its expansion are left without meaningful protections. She also highlighted her Abolish Super PACs Act, arguing that unlimited corporate spending in elections undermines Congress's ability to establish regulations that prioritize the public over corporate profits. Footage of Rep. Lee’s remarks can be found here. Rep. Lee has championed legislation to protect communities, workers, and civil rights as artificial intelligence expands. She is a cosponsor of the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, which would temporarily pause new data center construction and expansion until Congress establishes comprehensive federal safeguards addressing AI's economic, environmental, and safety impacts. Alongside Senator Ed Markey, Rep. Lee introduced the Eliminating BIAS Act, which would establish dedicated civil rights offices in federal agencies that use or oversee AI to combat algorithmic discrimination. She also co-leads theAI Civil Rights Act, which would strengthen protections against AI-driven discrimination in housing, healthcare, employment, and other essential services.

Letter Text (PDF) PITTSBURGH, PA – October 2, 2026 — Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) alongside Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), called on The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to bargain in good faith with nearly 900 nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital who have spent approximately eight months negotiating their first union contract. In a letter to UPMC President and CEO Leslie Davis, the lawmakers raised concerns they have heard from workers and organizers about staffing levels, excessive workloads, and conditions that healthcare professionals say can make it harder to provide patients with the level of care they deserve. The lawmakers specifically pointed to reports that nurses are routinely responsible for more patients than nationally recognized clinical standards recommend, including instances in which one labor and delivery nurse may be responsible for two or three patients even though professional staffing standards call for dedicated nursing care for a patient in active labor. “For approximately eight months, nearly 900 health care professionals at UPMC Magee have been negotiating for a contract that reflects the critical role they play in caring for patients and families throughout western Pennsylvania,” the lawmakers wrote. “These workers have raised serious concerns about inadequate staffing, excessive workloads, and conditions that prevent them from consistently providing the level of care their patients deserve. UPMC has a responsibility to listen to these frontline professionals and work constructively to resolve their concerns without unnecessary delays.” Contract negotiations between UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Physicians, and SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania began in January. UPMC reported that the parties held their 38th bargaining session on September 22 and have reached tentative agreements on several issues as negotiations continue. These staffing concerns come as Allegheny County continues to face seriousracial disparities in maternal health. In 2023, the rate of preventable hospitalizations among Black women was 3.3 times higher than among White women in Allegheny County. The disparities are especially stark in Pittsburgh, where previous reports found that Black women were more likely to die during pregnancy than their peers in 97% of comparable U.S. cities. Rep. Lee has made confronting the Black maternal health crisis a focus of her work in Congress, including pressing HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during Black Maternal Health Week over threats to maternal health research and community-based programs, joining congressional efforts to expand access to midwifery care, and strongly supporting the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to invest in community-based care, strengthen and diversify the perinatal workforce, improve maternal health data collection, and expand maternal mental health support. In their letter, Reps. Lee, Deluzio, and Khanna emphasized that safe staffing and workplace protections are critical to patient safety, retaining experienced healthcare workers, reducing exhaustion and burnout, and ensuring hospitals can respond effectively to emergencies. “UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is a vital institution that generations of western Pennsylvanians have relied upon for obstetric, neonatal, reproductive, and specialized health care,” the lawmakers wrote. “We will continue to monitor UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital actions closely and strongly encourage UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, in accordance with the law, to bargain a fair contract in good faith with these workers.” Workers at Magee have publicly advocated for staffing standards based on recommendations from national professional organizations. Those proposals include dedicated nursing care for patients who are laboring or being induced, as well as staffing standards for neonatal intensive care, postpartum care, emergency care, oncology, and other hospital units. The full letter can be read HERE and letter text is below: September 22, 2026 Dear Ms. Davis: We write to urge the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to bargain in good faith, as required by federal law, with the nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. As you know, workers have a right to organize and advocate for improvements in their wages and working conditions, as well as engage in protected concerted activity under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). We have received troubling reports from our constituents and organizers that nurses are routinely assigned more patients than nationally recognized clinical standards recommend. Nurses have described situations in which a single labor and delivery nurse may be responsible for two or three patients, even though established standards call for a patient in active labor to receive dedicated nursing care. For approximately eight months, nearly 900 health care professionals at UPMC Magee have been negotiating for a contract that reflects the critical role they play in caring for patients and families throughout western Pennsylvania. These workers have raised serious concerns about inadequate staffing, excessive workloads, and conditions that prevent them from consistently providing the level of care their patients deserve. UPMC has a responsibility to listen to these frontline professionals and work constructively to resolve their concerns without unnecessary delays. Safe staffing and other workplace protections are fundamental to patient safety, retaining experienced nurses, protecting workers from exhaustion and burnout, and ensuring that hospitals remain prepared to respond to emergencies. UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is a vital institution that generations of western Pennsylvanians have relied upon for obstetric, neonatal, reproductive, and specialized health care. We will continue to monitor UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital actions closely and strongly encourage UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, in accordance with the law, to bargain a fair contract in good faith with these workers. Thank you for your attention to these issues. Sincerely, Summer Lee Member of Congress Chris Deluzio Member of Congress Ro Khanna Member of Congress

The workers who keep Western PA powered deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve a voice at work. Nearly 1,000 Duquesne Light workers with IBEW Local 29 are on strike, fighting for safety, job security, and a fair contract. I stand with working people. https://t.co/OEyBA4T3te

PITTSBURGH, PA – October 1, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) and Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced $11,023,181 in federal funding to upgrade thousands of feet of lighting and pavement on Runway 10L/28R at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), further modernizing Western Pennsylvanians’ go-to airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation awards this money through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The multi-phase funding will help extend the service life of the runway, minimize Foreign Object Debris (FOD), improve aircrafts’ ride quality, and make the airfield safer at Pittsburgh International Airport. “Pittsburgh International Airport is one of the gateways to Western Pennsylvania, and the infrastructure behind it has to be safe, reliable, and ready for the people and workers who depend on it every single day,” said Congresswoman Lee. “This more than $11 million federal investment is exactly what public dollars should be doing: coming back home, strengthening the things our communities rely on, supporting good jobs, and making sure a major piece of our regional economy is built to last. I’m glad to see this funding headed home to Pittsburgh International Airport, and I’ll keep fighting to bring federal investment back to Western Pennsylvania.” “We in Western Pennsylvanians should be able to rely on the safety and reliability of our infrastructure,” said Congressman Deluzio. “That’s why I am excited to announce another round of federal funding that will help make the Pittsburgh Airport one of the safest and most modern airports in the world.” “Airports across the country are part of national critical infrastructure and federal support is key in helping to keep the national airspace moving. Pittsburgh International Airport is an important economic driver for our region and this grant helps to fund airfield improvements at PIT including runway paving and upgrading lighting infrastructure. Thank you to Congressman Deluzio and our entire federal delegation for their continued support,” said Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis.

ICE abducted Salah Sarsour for speaking out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and now Trump is trying to deport him after nearly 30 years of calling America home. This is an unconstitutional attack on free speech and another attempt to silence advocacy for Palestinian human rights. Free Salah Sarsour. Abolish ICE. https://t.co/7ybmeMODNv

Today marks 50 years of the Hyde Amendment. For 50 years, Hyde has denied abortion coverage to millions of people who rely on Medicaid and other federally funded health care. We cannot talk about protecting women while denying low-income and working-class people the care they need. Abortion care is health care. End Hyde.

The Trump admin is weaponizing Title IX to justify its hateful agenda, but recent events have shown we need more protections for students against sexual harassment & assault, not less. Protecting women means holding perpetrators accountable, not targeting trans students.

I'm proud to have secured federal funds for Greenfield Elementary earlier this year and introduced the Revitalizing America's Schoolyards Act to make our communities greener, safer, and more accessible. When we invest in our schools, our neighborhoods, and our young people, we’re investing in futures filled with opportunity and joy.

Our communities are stronger when our small businesses can thrive. From neighborhood shops to family-owned restaurants, these businesses create jobs, build wealth, and keep our communities connected. https://t.co/qgewcvRMGU

So honored to celebrate the grand opening of the new Clairton Public Library! I know firsthand that libraries are cornerstones of our communities. They're places where our kids can dream big, families can gather, and neighbors can find opportunity. Clairton deserves spaces like this gem that invest in its people and build a stronger future for the Mon Valley.

Yesterday in Pittsburgh, we stood with working families to demand something that should be a basic part of any job: paid parental leave. Parents deserve time to heal, bond with their babies, & care for their families without sacrificing their economic security. Thank you to Allegheny County for making this a priority.

Photos (Dropbox) PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) joined Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17), members of the Allegheny County state legislative delegation, and family advocates at the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank to voice her support for Allegheny County’s proposed paid parental leave policy and call for stronger federal investments in working families. The revised county proposal would provide eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave during the first year following the birth or adoption of a child. The proposal would cover employers with 15 or more eligible employees and comes after months of public input from workers, families, public health experts, employers, and community members. “No parent should have to choose between the time it takes to care for a new baby and the paycheck it takes to provide for one,” said Rep. Summer Lee. “We cannot keep treating those as competing responsibilities. And if the system keeps forcing those responsibilities apart, then it is our job to build one that lets families hold them together. Paid leave gives families the time and financial stability to do both. And that is exactly what Allegheny County is working to do here, and I am proud to support this effort.” The proposal builds on growing efforts to treat paid parental leave as both an economic security and public health issue. Allegheny County health officials have pointed to the weeks immediately following birth as a medically vulnerable period for babies and birthing parents and say paid leave can support maternal recovery, infant health, and family stability. Rep. Lee has made supporting working families a central part of her work in Congress. She is a cosponsor of the FAMILY Act, which would establish a national paid family and medical leave program providing up to 12 weeks of paid leave for workers welcoming a new child, caring for a loved one, or dealing with a serious health condition. She also cosponsors the American Family Act to expand the Child Tax Credit and provide families with more consistent financial support, has pushed for her Child Care for Working Families Act to bring down childcare costs, and also co-leads the Head Start for America’s Children Act to expand Head Start to more than 11 million eligible young children nationwide. Rep. Lee also highlighted the unequal burden created by the lack of guaranteed paid leave, particularly for Black women and families already stretched by rising costs. Nearly 7 in 10 Black mothers are the sole or primary breadwinners for their families, yet research has found that 55 percent of parental leaves taken by Black women are unpaid. That gap carries real financial consequences as Black women lose an estimated $866 million in wages each year while taking parental leave, putting families who depend on that income at even greater risk of falling behind at the exact moment they need stability most. Thursday’s press conference was held at the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, which provides diapers and other essential hygiene products to families across the region and works to address the financial and health consequences of diaper needs.

When I visited Moshannon Valley Detention Center, I saw no reason for it to remain open. I see even less reason for corporations like GEO Group to be awarded PA taxpayer dollars to keep it running. My colleagues and I are demanding answers about how our taxes are being used for this inhumane facility. https://t.co/MHWK6nPYCy

From the campaign trail to the policymaking, our government should not be corporate sponsored. https://t.co/r4h2mY9e2I

34 new homes. Permanent affordability. Wraparound support. Yesterday we celebrated Uptown Flats in Pittsburgh, a $22.2M investment in housing our neighbors can actually afford, made possible by federal affordable housing tax credits. This is what happens when we invest in housing & put people first.

Photos (Dropbox) PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 — Yesterday, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) joined Bethlehem Haven, ACTION-Housing, Pittsburgh Mercy, local elected officials, housing advocates, community partners, and residents to celebrate the grand opening of Uptown Flats, a new 34-unit affordable permanent supportive housing community in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood. Previously, Rep. Lee joined project partners for the groundbreaking of Uptown Flats in October 2024 and returned Tuesday as the nearly decade-long effort officially welcomed residents home. “Today, we get to celebrate 34 new homes, 34 new beginnings, and one more example of what Western Pennsylvania can build when we put people first,” said Rep. Lee. “For someone coming out of homelessness, or a senior, veteran, or person with a disability who has spent too long wondering where they are going to lay their head at night, this kind of stability can mean the difference between surviving and finally having some room to breathe. Housing is a human right, and Uptown Flats shows us what that can actually look like in practice.” Developed through a partnership between Bethlehem Haven and ACTION-Housing, Uptown Flats includes 11 studio apartments, 16 one-bedroom apartments, and seven two-bedroom apartments designed to provide safe, stable housing for people exiting homelessness and residents with disabilities and other special needs. All 34 apartments receive Project-Based Section 8 rental assistance, helping ensure residents can afford their homes based on their income. The development also provides accessible units, community spaces, and on-site supportive services to help residents build long-term stability. The more than $22 million development brought together federal, state, county, city, nonprofit, and private investment, including federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and HOME-ARP funding. The development sits along Pittsburgh’s Bus Rapid Transit corridor and includes accessible housing designed for residents with mobility, hearing, and visual disabilities. Rep. Lee has made expanding access to safe, affordable housing a central part of her work in Congress. Earlier this year, shesecured $3 million to help Allegheny County create affordable rental homes dedicated to people exiting homelessness anddelivered another $1 million to help convert vacant Downtown Pittsburgh office space into affordable housing. Last year, Rep. Lee alsojoined Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato to celebrate the “500 in 500” initiative, which helped house more than 600 people experiencing homelessness and identified hundreds of affordable housing units across the county. In Congress, Rep. Lee helped reintroduce theStop Wall Street Landlords Act to curb large institutional investors’ ability to use taxpayer subsidies to buy up single-family homes and theHOMES Act to restrict tax breaks for large corporate investors purchasing local housing. Her affordable housing agenda also includes expanding federal rental assistance, strengthening tenant protections, preserving affordable housing, and preventing displacement and homelessness.

Clearfield County extended its contract with ICE & GEO Group for another six months. Corporations profit off people’s pain, while politicians profit off fear. There shouldn't be earnings calls for human detention, because NO ONE should profit from people being locked in cages. https://t.co/hWHp5WzYQm

To our Jewish neighbors across Western PA and beyond: wishing you a meaningful Yom Kippur. May this sacred day be a time for reflection, forgiveness, and renewal, and may you be surrounded by community, peace, and love. G’mar Chatimah Tovah.

There is no justification for this. Abolish ICE.

As families across Pittsburgh face rising costs, access to clean water should never be another financial burden. Pittsburgh Water’s new debt forgiveness program helps eligible low-income households eliminate past-due balances over 24 months while staying current on new bills. https://t.co/68gNDsouIp