Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Senator Ed Markey, Colleagues Urge Biden-Harris Administration to Enact Comprehensive Fentanyl Harm Reduction Strategy
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) today led 18 of their colleagues in urging the Biden-Harris administration to develop and publicly announce a national fentanyl harm reduction strategy specifically focused on enhancing public health infrastructure and addressing the collateral consequences that stem from drug arrests and convictions. The lawmakers emphasized that this strategy should support increased availability of local overdose prevention … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the below statement on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein. “California lost a trailblazer for women and a political giant today. During half a century of public service, Senator Feinstein broke glass ceilings for women and fought fearlessly for a safer, stronger, more just nation. My deepest condolences go out to her family and loved ones. “Senator Feinstein was a friend and mentor. She was a fearless trailblazer with an iron … Continue Reading
September 28, 2023
Ranking Member Lee Floor Remarks in Opposition to the 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Funding Bill
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in opposition to H.R. 4665, the fiscal year 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill: - As Prepared For Delivery - Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose HR 4665. This bill would impose devastating cuts on programs meant to keep both America and the world safe. This Republican bill would slash the allocation for … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Lee, Nadler, Blumenauer, Jackson Lee and Velázquez Reintroduce Comprehensive Marijuana Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), along with House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) reintroduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act (HR 5601), one of the most comprehensive marijuana reform bills ever introduced in the U.S. Congress. Following efforts led by states across the nation, the … Continue Reading
September 21, 2023
Reps. Lee, DeLauro, Sens. Duckworth, Cramer Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Families Experiencing Diaper Need
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) re-introduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier for low-income families to afford the diapers they need. The End Diaper Need Act of 2023 would help assist low-income families to address diaper need by providing targeted funding for states, territories and other eligible entities working on this issue. A companion version of this bill was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth … Continue Reading
September 20, 2023
Reps. Barbara Lee and Chip Roy Lead Call for Speaker McCarthy to Hold Vote on 2002 AUMF
Washington, DC - Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Chip Roy (R-TX-21) today led a bipartisan group of members in a letter to Speaker McCarthy calling for a vote on legislation to repeal the Authorizations for the use of Military Force (AUMFs) by the end of the month. The lawmakers are joined by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08), Nancy Mace (R-SC-01), and Jim McGovern (D-MA-02). “Thank you for your commitment to bring legislation to the House floor in … Continue Reading
September 19, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Represents the United States at the UN General Assembly
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) attended a series of landmark meetings and events during the 78th United Nations General Assembly. The Congresswoman was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as Representative of the United States to the 78th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, marking the eighth time she has served in this role. The Congresswoman gave opening remarks at a panel discussion on “Accelerating Civil Society Responses to LGBTQ Human Rights … Continue Reading
September 18, 2023
Representatives Lee & Burgess Introduce Drone Reform Act to Ensure Accountability in Military Drone Strikes
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Michael Burgess (R-TX-26) introduced the Drone Reform Act (H.R. 5442), bipartisan legislation that ensures a process for accountability when military drone strikes are conducted. The legislation would remove the authority of US intelligence agencies to conduct lethal drone strikes, instead shifting all drone strike authority to the Department of Defense. This will increase transparency over these strikes by taking this … Continue Reading
September 15, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 to October 15 each year. “Every year, we observe Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize and celebrate the rich contributions of the Latino community to this nation. “Growing up in El Paso, Texas, I saw firsthand that the Latino community is incredibly vibrant and vital to our country. I have a deep respect for the Hispanic … Continue Reading
September 15, 2023
Congresswoman Calls for Immediate Action to Relieve Child Care Crisis
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the below statement following a report from the U.S. Census Bureau finding that child poverty has more than doubled from last year, resulting in an additional 5 million children in the United States experiencing poverty in 2022. This represents a significant backtracking from the progress made in 2021 and is the largest one-year increase of child poverty on record. “I am outraged by this devastating report. This spike in child poverty … Continue Reading
September 15, 2023
ICYMI: Op-Ed by Congresswoman Lee ‘22 years after military force was authorized in Afghanistan, Congress needs to restore basic checks and balances’
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) published the below op-ed in The Hill alongside co-contributor Stephen Miles, President of Win Without War, on the anniversary of her vote in the House of Representatives against invading Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks. The Hill - 22 years after military force was authorized in Afghanistan, Congress needs to restore basic checks and balances BY REP. BARBARA LEE (D-CALIF.) AND STEPHEN MILES, OPINION CONTRIBUTORS - 09/14/23 9:30 AM … Continue Reading
September 15, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Applauds POTUS Announcement of $9 Million in New Federal Funds for Urban Tree-Planting in California’s 12th District
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) applauded the Biden-Harris Administration for its announcement of $1 billion for direct federal support to local communities for urban tree-planting and management through the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. Representative Lee’s district, CA-12, will receive a total of $9,000,000 in funding through the program, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. “I am excited by this historic investment from the … Continue Reading
September 04, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Nominated by President Biden to Represent the United States at the 78th UN General Assembly
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the below statement following President Joe Biden’s announcement of his intent to nominate her to serve as Representative of the United States to the 78th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. If confirmed, this will mark the eighth time the Congresswoman has served as Congressional Representative of the U.S. to the UN General Assembly (UNGA). “I am deeply honored to be nominated for this role by President Biden, and … Continue Reading
September 04, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Honors Workers, Calls for Passage of PRO Act on Labor Day
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement in celebration of Labor Day: “Today, we celebrate the millions of workers who make our communities and economy strong and honor those who have sacrificed for the rights and protections we have today. “Solidifying worker power is more important than ever. I’m proud to stand with workers across all industries and fight for their priorities in Congress by supporting the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the … Continue Reading
August 30, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Holds ‘District Download’ Event Highlighting Progressive Wins at Oakland Museum
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) held a ‘District Download’ event for constituents at the Oakland Museum in California’s 12th District to highlight federal funding coming to the district, answer constituent questions, and give a recap of the 118th Congress thus far. Click here to view a recording of the live event. The discussion was moderated by Lori Fogarty, Director and CEO of the Oakland Museum. Representatives from community based projects receiving federal funding … Continue Reading
August 17, 2023
Lee, Blumenauer, Joyce Urge Department of Veterans Affairs to Reconsider Guidance Prohibiting VA Doctors from Prescribing Medical Cannabis
Washington, DC – Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), and Dave Joyce (R-OH-14) today sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) urging a reconsideration of their policy that prohibits VA providers from prescribing medical marijuana to their patients in states, territories and tribal lands where medical marijuana is legal. This comes after the lawmakers, along with Representative Brian Mast (R-FL-21), led a provision … Continue Reading
August 16, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on One Year Anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the below statement on the one year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law by President Biden on August 16, 2022. “On the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, I’m proud to recognize its incredible benefits for our communities, families, and planet. With this bill, Democrats took decisive action to lower health and energy costs for families, deliver the … Continue Reading
August 09, 2023
Lee Celebrates Black Business Month and One-Year Anniversary of CHIPS Act by Touring Black-Owned Bay Area Tech Company
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) toured Black-owned satellite manufacturer Akash Systems in West Oakland to celebrate Black Business Month. This visit comes after Rep. Lee supported their bid to receive funding from the CHIPS and Science Act. The CHIPS and Science Act, passed one year ago Wednesday, makes historic investments in American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security. Akash Systems is pioneering the development and use of certain … Continue Reading
August 01, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Launch of Ron V. Dellums Memorial SMART Fellowship
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) celebrated the launch of the Ronald V. Dellums Memorial SMART Fellowship which is aimed at boosting the number of minority students in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields through robust financial scholarships to college students. Applications for the inaugural year of the program go live today, August 1st, 2023, through the Department of Defense. The fellowship, … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Reps. Lee, Kelly, Espaillat Introduce Bill to Recognize Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency
WASHINGTON, D.C.–Today, Reps. Barbara Lee (CA-12), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) introduced theGun Violence as a Public Health Emergency Act,which would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to produce an annual report on gun violence, its public health effects, and action taken by the federal government. This report will help inform policymakers at every level on how to … Continue Reading