During a solar eclipse viewing event on Monday, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) incorrectly told a group of kids that the moon is mostly made up of “gases.” Despite this misconception, she expressed her desire to be among the first to live on the lunar surface.
Speaking to kids outside Booker T. Washington High School in Houston, the 74-year-old congressman made several scientifically questionable remarks before the celestial event.
“You’ve heard the term ‘full moon.’ Sometimes you need to take the opportunity to come out and see a full moon, which is that complete rounded circle, primarily made up of gases,” Jackson Lee began. “So the question arises: could humans live on the moon given its gaseous composition?”
She continued, “The sun emits powerful heat, but it’s nearly impossible to approach it. The moon, however, is more manageable. You will see, not immediately but in a few years, that NASA is planning to return to the moon.”
Rep Sheila Jackson Lee defended herself, claiming that she was referring to the sun rather than the moon
Jackson Lee, who appears to have missed her science class, also claimed that the moon emits “unique light and energy.” According to the New York Post, she provided an even more confusing explanation for the solar eclipse.
“I don’t think we’ve traveled to the moon in the last fifty years. Today, you will see the moon’s closest approach to Earth in the last 20 years. “That’s why the lights will go out because the moon will be close to Earth,” she explained, ignoring the sun-moon alignment that causes the eclipse.
Rep Sheila defended herself, claiming that she was referring to the sun rather than the moon.
“Obviously I misspoke and meant to say the sun, but as usual, Republicans are focused on stupid things instead of stuff that really matters. What can I say though, foolish thinkers lust for stupidity!”
Sheila Jackson’s claims have baffled netizens.
“Sheila Jackson Lee (D) sat on the House Science Committee AND the House Space Committee…and she thinks the moon is made of gas,” an X user posted.