Press Releases

September 30, 2021

Rep. Lee joins Reps. McGovern and Meijer to Introduce Sweeping New Legislation to Reassert Congressional Power Over National Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, & Accountability, alongside Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5410, the National Security Reforms and Accountability Act (NSRAA), sweeping new legislation in the U.S. … Continue Reading


September 30, 2021

Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs Lee, Blumenauer Issue Statement Following Judiciary Committee Passage of Historic Cannabis Reform Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)-co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus-released the following joint statement today after the House Judiciary Committee passed the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act: "Today's Judiciary Committee approval of the MORE Act continues our monumental effort to get the federal government in step with the rest of America, and move toward modernizing our federal cannabis policies and … Continue Reading


September 24, 2021

PCC Co-Chairs Applaud Passage of Women’s Health Protection Act

Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Diana DeGette (CO-01), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, today applauded the passage of the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) - legislation that protects the right to access abortion nationwide. This legislation safeguards abortion rights against the barrage of these state-based attacks and provides a bulwark against any Supreme Court action to strike down or erode the protections established in Roe v. Wade. The bill passed on a vote … Continue Reading


September 23, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Resignation of Special Envoy to Haiti Ambassador Daniel Foote

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement on the resignation of Special Envoy to Haiti Ambassador Daniel Foote: "I'm disappointed to see Special Envoy to Haiti Ambassador Daniel Foote resign from his position. Ambassador Foote understood the importance of Haitian-led solutions to the current crises and recognized the value in empowering Haitians to decide their future. His … Continue Reading


September 23, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Opposes FY22 Defense Budget

Washington, D.C. - Representative Barbara Lee (CA-13), Co-Chair of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus, today voted against the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Rep. Lee and Rep. Mark Pocan proposed an amendment to the FY22 NDAA to cut the Defense Budget by ten percent. She also proposed an amendment with Rep. Pocan and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to cut the FY22 Pentagon budget by at least $25 billion-the amount increase approved by Republicans on the House Armed Services … Continue Reading


September 22, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Meeting with President Biden

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus, released the following statement after meeting with President Biden and Progressive Caucus colleagues on the path forward for President Biden's Build Back Better agenda: "I'd like to thank President Biden for the invitation to the White House and for his continued commitment to building back better. Our conversation was productive. We had a good faith discussion about the urgent need to deliver for the American … Continue Reading


September 21, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on President Biden’s Address to the UNGA

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressional Representative to the United Nations and Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement in reaction to President Biden's first speech to the United Nations General Assembly: "President Biden demonstrated his commitment to restoring the United States' leadership and respectability on the world stage. I was pleased to see his continued support for closing the chapter on the … Continue Reading


September 21, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Pass Continuing Resolution, Provide Wildfire Relief Fund

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) voted to pass H.R. 5304, Extending Government Funding/Suspending Debt Limit, to fund the government through December 3, which includes emergency funding to for recent natural disasters, including California wildfires, and the resettlement of Afghan evacuees. "I'm glad to see the House pass this Continuing Resolution to keep our government open during this critical time. I thank Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro and Speaker Pelosi for their leadership … Continue Reading


September 21, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Mistreatment of Haitian Migrants at Southern Border

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement on the mistreatment of Haitian migrants at the southern border: "The photos and footage of U.S. Border Patrol's disgusting mistreatment of Haitians at the southern border are deplorable. This abuse not only contradicts American values, it bring us back to a time where this imagery was commonplace and Black people were treated as less than human. These people are at risk of being sent back to a country that … Continue Reading


September 20, 2021

Rep. Lee and Congressional Democrats Urge SCOTUS to Protect Reproductive Rights by Upholding Roe and Rejecting Mississippi’s Blatantly Unconstitutional Law

48 Democrats in the Senate and 188 in the House file a bicameral amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, joined 48 Democrats in the Senate and 187 in the House in filing a bicameral amicus brief in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, urging the Supreme Court to uphold nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade and protect the constitutional right to … Continue Reading


September 18, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Jenniffer González continue to fight for those living with HIV Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Co-chairs introduce bipartisan bill

Washington, D.C. - The Co-Chairs of the Congressional HIV / AIDS Caucus, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Jenniffer González Colón (PR-At Large), continue to join forces to combat the stigma felt by people living with HIV, as well as to promote prevention and research to achieve a cure to this epidemic. This time, they introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House (H. Res. 649) in support of the goals of HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, which is observed on September … Continue Reading


September 17, 2021

Reps. Lee, Bush Urge President Biden To Commute Sentences of Individuals Released Due to COVID-19 Without Immediate Executive Action

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), along with Reps. Cori Bush, Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), David Trone (MD-06), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and over 20 of their colleagues, sent a letter to the Biden Administration urging the President to commute the sentences of the more than 4,000 people who were released on home confinement in 2020 as part of an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. In their letter, the members also called on the administration to create an … Continue Reading


September 16, 2021

Rep. Lee Statement on Hispanic Heritage Month

WASHINGTON D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) statement in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is recognized every year from September 15 to October 15: "Every year, Americans honor Hispanic Heritage Month to commemorate the immeasurable contributions of the of the diverse Hispanic community. Growing up in El Paso, Texas, I learned from and gained a deep respect for the Latino community and their heritage. I now have the privilege of serving a vibrant and dynamic community of … Continue Reading


September 11, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement recognizing the 20th anniversary of the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001: "20 years ago, the world witnessed a horrific attack on our nation. Today, we remember and honor the thousands lost on that day and those we've since lost to 9/11-related illnesses. As a nation, we continue to offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to their families and loved ones. We will never forget … Continue Reading


September 09, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Appointed Democratic Congressional Representative to the United Nations

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today announced herappointment to serve as Congressional Representative of the United States to the Seventy-Sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. This is the fifth time Congresswoman Lee has been appointed to this position. Congresswoman Lee will continue to represent the 13th Congressional District of California while she assumes the duties of a Representative to the United Nations. "I am deeply honored by the … Continue Reading


September 07, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Renters’ Bill of Rights Legislation

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), today introduced a Renters' Bill of Rights Resolution affirming the right of all renters to a safe, affordable, and decent home. The Renters' Bill of Rights Resolution supports a significant investment in housing resources to build and preserve affordable housing for America's poorest families and to end homelessness and housing poverty once and for all. The resolution also supports funding for programs to increase access to affordable … Continue Reading


September 01, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Enactment of Texas Anti-Abortion Law

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, released the following statement on the enactment of Texas S.B. 8, an extreme anti-abortion law: "Texas's radical anti-abortion legislation is an attack on human rights, reproductive rights, and the health of millions of people -- especially low-income people and people of color. As one who knows personally the devastating consequences of abortion restrictions, I know that Congress must … Continue Reading


August 31, 2021

Rep. Lee Introduces Legislation Marking the International Day for People of African Descent

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today introduced a resolution marking the International Day for People of African Descent, celebrated for the first time on August 31, 2021. "This resolution honoring the first International Day for People of African Descent is truly historic and reflects our shared values that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Our goal is to promote the extraordinary contributions of the … Continue Reading


August 30, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Completion of U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement on the completion of U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan: "Today's final withdrawal is a sobering moment. As we reflect on the ultimate sacrifices made by our troops over the years, and most recently lost in the tragedy in Kabul, we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to our courageous armed service members. They made the ultimate sacrifice and did everything that was asked of them over the last two decades. … Continue Reading


August 30, 2021

Reps. Lee, Pressley, Bush, Gomez, Ocasio-Cortez and Colleagues Call on Congress to Act on Eviction Moratorium

Washington, D.C. - Representative Barbara Lee (CA-13) joined Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Cori Bush (MO-01), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and 59 of their House colleagues in urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to pass legislation to extend the federal eviction moratorium for the duration of the pandemic. The lawmakers' letter follows the Supreme Court's ruling that struck down the Centers for Disease Control and … Continue Reading

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