Susie Lee

Suzie Lee is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Nevada's 3rd congressional district, a position she has held since January 3, 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she represents a region that includes southern Las Vegas and parts of unincorporated Clark County. Throughout her tenure, Lee has focused on various legislative issues and has been involved in multiple committees, reflecting her commitment to her constituents and her party's priorities.

Early life and career

Suzanne Marie Kelley was born on November 7, 1966, in Canton, Ohio, where she grew up as one of eight children. Her father, Warren Kelley, served as a structural engineer and was a veteran of the Korean War, while her mother, Joan Kelley, was a homemaker. From a young age, Lee demonstrated a strong work ethic, taking on her first job at the age of eight as a newspaper delivery person for The Canton Repository.

Lee attended McKinley High School in Canton, where she was an active member of the swim team. After graduating in 1985, she pursued higher education at Carnegie Mellon University. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in policy management and later completed a Master of Science degree in public management, graduating in 1990.

In 1993, Lee relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she began her professional career. She became a founding director of the city's chapter of the Inner-City Games, an organization that has since been rebranded as the After-School All-Stars. This organization focuses on providing after-school programs for children, emphasizing the importance of education and community support. In 2011, she took on the role of board chair for Communities in Schools of Nevada, an organization dedicated to dropout prevention and supporting at-risk students.

House tenure

Lee's political career began with her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016, when she sought to represent Nevada's 4th congressional district. However, she lost the primary election to Ruben Kihuen, finishing third behind Lucy Flores. Undeterred, Lee ran again in 2018 for Nevada's 3rd congressional district, which was vacated by Jacky Rosen as she pursued a Senate seat. In the primary election, Lee secured a significant victory, receiving 66.9% of the vote. She subsequently won the general election against Republican nominee Danny Tarkanian with 52% of the vote.

Lee successfully ran for reelection in 2020, winning her primary with 82.8% of the vote and defeating Republican Dan Rodimer in the general election with 48.8% of the vote. She continued her electoral success in 2022, where she again defeated Republican candidate April Becker with 52% of the vote. Most recently, in 2024, Lee was reelected, overcoming Republican Drew Johnson with 51% of the vote.

Since her swearing-in on January 3, 2019, Lee has been an active member of Congress. During her first term, she was appointed to the Education and Labor and Veterans' Affairs committees. Early in her tenure, she demonstrated solidarity with federal workers affected by the government shutdown by forgoing her paycheck. In February 2019, she co-sponsored the Raise the Wage Act, which aimed to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. Additionally, she collaborated with Nevada's congressional delegation to prevent the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste facility from becoming operational. In December of that year, she voted in favor of both articles of impeachment against then-President Donald Trump.

In 2020, Lee sponsored the bipartisan LWCF Permanent Funding Act, which aimed to secure full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, supporting outdoor recreation and conservation efforts. She was also involved in advocating for financial relief for Nevada's tourism and gaming industries, which were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lee's efforts contributed to regulatory changes that allowed small gaming businesses to apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans. Notably, her husband’s casino company received a significant loan during this period, though Lee stated she had no role in the decision-making process regarding the application.

In 2021, Lee was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, where she continued to influence budgetary decisions. She supported the SAFE Banking Act, which sought to provide the cannabis industry with access to banking services. During this time, Lee faced scrutiny for failing to disclose over 200 stock trades, valued at $3.3 million, which her office attributed to clerical errors. An external legal ethics expert found no evidence of intentional wrongdoing. In November 2021, she voted for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

In 2023, Lee was appointed to both the Appropriations and Natural Resources committees. She played a role in securing federal funding for Nevada's water infrastructure, including significant investments aimed at improving drinking water quality. In April 2024, she co-sponsored the bipartisan Seniors Securing Access to Vital and Essential Prescription Drugs Act, further reflecting her commitment to healthcare issues.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout her congressional career, Lee has focused on various legislative priorities, particularly in the areas of education, labor, and healthcare. Her committee assignments have allowed her to influence policy in significant ways. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, she has been involved in budgetary decisions that affect a wide range of sectors, including defense and energy.

In addition to her committee work, Lee is a member of several caucuses, including the New Democrat Coalition, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment, and the Congressional Equality Caucus. These affiliations highlight her commitment to advancing issues related to equality, education, and community development.

Lee's legislative actions reflect her dedication to her constituents in Nevada's 3rd congressional district, as she continues to advocate for policies that support economic growth, education, and healthcare access. Her ongoing work in Congress positions her as a significant figure in Nevada's political landscape, with a focus on addressing the needs and concerns of her constituents. As she continues her service, her legislative priorities and committee roles will likely evolve in response to the changing needs of her district and the nation.