Press Releases

January 02, 2024

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Biden Administration Weapons Sale to Israel

Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, released the following statement on the Biden Administration’s decision to bypass Congress on an emergency weapons sale to Israel: “As we watch this dire situation in Israel and Gaza unfold, it is imperative that the government of the United States be accountable to the people of the United States. It's truly unacceptable that this administration transferred … Continue Reading


January 01, 2024

Congresswoman Lee Wishes Constituents a Happy New Year

Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement celebrating the New Year. "Happy New Year! "In 2023, House Democrats fought to put people over politics and meet the urgent needs of working people. But instead of doing their jobs, House Republicans spent the year dragging our economy to the brink with a devastating default on our debt and two government shutdowns. They even paralyzed Congress for nearly a month after ousting their own Speaker. "The American people … Continue Reading


December 21, 2023

Congresswoman Lee Celebrates $50 Million in Funding from the Biden-Harris Administration to Environmental Justice Projects in California

OAKLAND, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) celebrated $50 million in funding awarded to California-based environmental justice projects as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The Biden-Harris Administration announced that California-based Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, Inc. (SEE) has been selected to serve as the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 9 Grantmaker. SEE will receive $50,000,000 under EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving … Continue Reading


December 21, 2023

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Allyship Act to Better Support Peaceful Protestors in Iran

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today introduced the Allyship Act to shift United States policy towards Iran in a direction that better supports peaceful protestors and their allies while holding the regime accountable. Since September 2022, Iranians have been organizing and protesting to demand peaceful change in Iran. The Iranian regime's brutal response to these protests, marked by excessive force, arbitrary arrests, torture, and execution spree has left many individuals … Continue Reading


December 20, 2023

CBC TECH2025 Co-Chairs Lee and Cleaver Lead Congressional Black Caucus Members in Expressing Concerns over Widespread Tech Layoffs Disproportionately Impacting Black Americans

Washington, DC - CBC TECH2025 Co-Chairs Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), along with CBC Future of Work Taskforce Co-Chairs Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At Large District) sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su to request information in response to recent reports highlighting the impacts of widespread layoffs within the tech industry and its disproportionate impacts on the African American community and women. Since the … Continue Reading


December 14, 2023

House Democratic Caucus Poverty Task Force, Congressional Caucus on Homelessness Hold Meeting on Criminalization of Poverty

WASHINGTON, DC - The House Democratic Caucus Poverty Task Force and Congressional Caucus on Homelessness convened on Wednesday, December 14th for a member-level meeting to discuss ongoing local, state, and federal policies that criminalize homelessness. The meeting was led by Rep. Barbara Lee, Chair of the Poverty Task Force; Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness; Rep. Cori Bush, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness and Vice Chair on … Continue Reading


December 14, 2023

Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on Vandalism of Lake Merritt Menorah

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today released the following statement on the destruction of the large Menorah on display at Lake Merritt in Oakland: “I’m deeply saddened and disheartened that the Lake Merritt Menorah was destroyed earlier this week. My heart and prayers go out to the Jewish community in Oakland, and I strongly condemn this vile act of antisemitism.  “Last night, Oaklanders salvaged the menorah and gathered together to celebrate its re-lighting, spreading … Continue Reading


December 14, 2023

Representatives Lee, Jayapal, House Democrats Call on FTC to Closely Review Kroger-Albertsons Merger

Oakland, CA - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) led a group of 16 members of Congress in a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to carefully scrutinize the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, the largest and second-largest supermarket chains in the US. “This proposal is the culmination of a decades-long consolidation trend, led by these two companies, that has eliminated neighborhood stores, leading to higher prices, while also creating … Continue Reading


December 05, 2023

ICYMI: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Wins Award at DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness Benefit Concert Powered by Gilead Sciences

Los Angeles, California - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, was recognized at the DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness benefit concert powered by Gilead Sciences. The annual benefit concert, which is executive produced and hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and The DIVA Foundation, helps raise awareness and funds for programs that promote the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening health … Continue Reading


December 01, 2023

On World AIDS Day, Congresswoman Lee Calls for Bipartisan Reauthorization of PEPFAR

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, released the below statement on World AIDS Day, observed on December 1st of each year. “World AIDS Day is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible progress we have made toward becoming an AIDS-free generation, saving 25 million lives through transformative programs like PEPFAR. However, this year is different from years past, as we face a stalemate in Congress to reauthorize this critical … Continue Reading


November 30, 2023

Lee, Pelosi, Huffman Announce Bay Area Ferry Service to Receive $22 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Congressman Jared Huffman announced that the San Francisco Bay Area is set to receive nearly $22 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation under President Joe Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  This federal funding, which Congresswoman Lee, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, and Congressman Huffman advocated for, will help modernize the Bay Area’s ferry system by accelerating the San … Continue Reading


November 15, 2023

Representatives Lee, Castro, Jayapal and Senators Booker, Durbin and Hirono Urge Biden Administration to Expand Health Coverage to DACA Recipients

Washington, DC - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) joined with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) to call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to finalize their proposed rule to expand health coverage for those participating in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, crime victims, and immigrant children. In April 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services … Continue Reading


November 14, 2023

Congresswoman Lee Issues Statement on Continuing Resolution House Passage

“While I’m pleased we averted yet another government shutdown crisis, it is deeply unsettling that Democrats, yet again, have been forced to save the country from Republican dysfunction. From the Speaker drama to consistent infighting, GOP governance has been painstakingly difficult. I voted for this legislation to keep our government open and protect my constituents from undue suffering because of GOP incompetence, but it is imperative that we continue engaging in negotiations for a … Continue Reading


November 10, 2023

Congresswoman Lee Statement Honoring Veterans Day

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement commemorating Veterans Day. "This Veterans Day, let us recognize the courageous servicemembers and their families who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation. "I am the proud daughter of a former servicemember, Lt. Col. Garvin Tutt. My father fought in two wars, even while facing discrimination as an African American in the military. Despite experiencing racism both at home and abroad, my father … Continue Reading


November 02, 2023

Lee, Whitehouse, Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Legislation to Increase Worker Pay, Rein in Runaway CEO Compensation

CEOs made 308 times what the average worker earned last year Washington, DC - As executive pay soars, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced the Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act, which would apply an excise tax on public and private companies that have at least a 50 to one CEO-to-median-worker pay disparity.  In 2022, the CEO Act would have raised over $10.1 billion from the top 100 US … Continue Reading


November 02, 2023

Reps. Lee, Grijalva, Crockett, and DeSaulnier Introduce SMOKE Act to Protect Workers from Harmful Exposure to Wildfire Smoke

Washington, DC - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) , and Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) today introduced the Smoke Mitigation and Occupational Key Enhancements (SMOKE) Act. This legislation ensures that vulnerable workers aren’t forced to choose between their health or their livelihoods during an air quality crisis. The SMOKE Act requires the Secretary of Labor to issue a new standard on protection from “adverse air” - an Air Quality Index (AQI) … Continue Reading


November 02, 2023

Congresswoman Lee Votes Against Partisan Republican Security Supplemental

Washington, DC -  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released a statement following her vote against House Republican’s security supplemental bill: “As I’ve stated before, I firmly support Israel’s right to defend itself. The fight against terror requires deliberate action and clear objectives under international law to avoid unnecessary loss of life and spreading the conflict further throughout the region.   “My position remains that we must call for a ceasefire in Gaza because it is the … Continue Reading


October 27, 2023

Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Tentative Agreement In Laguna Hills Hotel Labor Dispute

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today celebrated a tentative agreement reached by UNITE HERE Local 11, a labor union representing hotel workers in Southern California, who have been striking on and off for nearly four months. The contract will — once ratified — raise wages, strengthen pensions and increase investments in healthcare at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California. The hotel in Dana Point, which is owned by the University of … Continue Reading


October 26, 2023

Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Resources for Students

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today reintroduced the Student Support Act to ensure all students have access to the mental health services and support they require to thrive academically and personally. The proposed legislation represents a pivotal step in addressing the growing mental health crisis among students. Recognizing the significant challenges students face today, the act aims to break down barriers to access and would provide $100 million in grants to states … Continue Reading


October 25, 2023

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Election of MAGA Extremist Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the below statement on the election of Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04) to Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. “After over three weeks of infighting, the GOP showed their true colors today by surrendering to the extreme factions of their party and elevating an election denier to one of the most powerful positions in government.  “Let’s be clear: I will work with anyone to get critical protections for working people passed. … Continue Reading

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