Press Releases
PCC Statement on Immediate Effects of Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ Decision on Title X
July 16, 2019Washington, D.C. - Pro-Choice Caucus co-chairs Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) issued this statement on the Trump Administration's announcement on Monday that it will immediately enact its Title X domestic gag rule, following a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals allowing it to go into effect: "The Trump Administration's decision to immediately implement its Title X gag rule is another reckless attack on people's reproductive rights, and will… Continue Reading
As Administration Escalates Tensions with Iran, Reps. Lee, Price, and Schakowsky Introduce Resolution for U.S. Re-entry into Iran Nuclear Agreement
July 16, 2019Washington, D.C. - As tensions rise with Iran, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congressman David Price (D-NC), and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced a resolution to urge the Trump administration to re-enter the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear agreement. In addition to rejoining the JCPOA, the resolution encourages the Trump administration to engage in immediate de-escalation measures and to use sustained diplomacy as a tool to address ot… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes No on the Wasteful National Defense Authorization Act
July 12, 2019WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives: "Every year, Congress has the opportunity to reassess our national security priorities and work towards lasting peace. "While the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act included many provisions I support, including strong protections for transgender servicemembers, paid family and medical leave,… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds the House’s Historic Vote to Repeal the 2002 Iraq Authorization for the Use of Military Force
July 12, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force: "Congress took a historic step today to stop our endless wars. The House just passed my amendment to repeal the outdated 2002 Iraq Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) - seventeen years after it was first passed. "Intended to address the perceived threat posed by the regime of Saddam Hu… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls Trump’s Fourth of July Military Parade ‘Outrageous and Dangerous’
July 04, 2019Washington D.C. - In response to the President-sanctioned Fourth of July "Salute to America" celebration held on the National Mall today, U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "As the daughter of a military veteran who fought in two wars, I proudly honor the service men and women of our military armed forces. However, I find the militarization of the Fourth of July by this President to be outrageous and dangerous. "It is ironic that in his speech the President g… Continue Reading
Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs Statement on Facebook Civil Rights Audit Report
July 03, 2019WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs Rep. G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13) gave the following statement on Facebook's civil rights audit report. The nearly 30-page document is the product of dozens of meetings with Facebook's appointed civil rights ambassador, Laura Murphy and nearly 90 civil rights groups who have called for Facebook to take meaningful and aggressive action to combat extremist or racist content on th… Continue Reading
Democrats Urge HHS Secretary to End Restrictions on Using Fetal Tissue for Scientific Research
July 02, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, 33 House Democrats strongly urged Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to reconsider the Administration's decision to eliminate the use of fetal tissue that can help further important life-saving scientific research. In a letter led by Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), they asked Secretary Azar to explain how his department came to a decision that could have such a profoundly nega… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Condemns Reports of Violence in Sudan and Urges Support for Transition to a Civilian-led Government
July 01, 2019WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to reports of violence and killing over the weekend during peaceful protests in Sudan, Sudan Caucus Chair Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement: "I am deeply concerned by reports of at least seven people killed and another 181 people wounded during peaceful protests in Sudan. "This violence is unacceptable, and I continue to call for an independent investigation into violence against peaceful protestors in Sudan. The United States must take a lead… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Commends the Supreme Court's Decision on the 2020 Census
June 27, 2019WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Supreme Court blocked a citizenship question from being added to the 2020 Census. In response, Congresswoman Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "I applaud the Supreme Court's decision to effectively prevent the untested, unnecessary, and ill-timed citizenship question from being included in the 2020 Census today. "The U.S. Census should make our nation more equal and representative, not less. By weaponizing the Census, this Administration tried to intimi… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Praises the Passage of Federal Spending Package to Invest in Our Veterans, Environmental Justice, and Combating Homelessness
June 25, 2019WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to yesterday's House passage of a federal spending package that funds the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Agriculture, Interior, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Energy, House Appropriations Committee Member Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "With the passage of this bill, House Democrats are reaffirming our commitment to bettering our communities - including a positive impact on the people … Continue Reading
Rep. Lee Joins Sen. Sanders, Reps. Jayapal and Omar to Introduce Groundbreaking Bills to Ensure College For All and Eliminate All Student Debt
June 24, 2019WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Lee joined Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in unveiling landmark legislation to eliminate tuition and fees at all public four-year colleges and universities, as well as make community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs tuition- and fee-free for all. The proposal also eliminates all $1.6 trillion in student debt for 45 million Americans. Rep. Barbara Lee is an original co-sponsor on the bill, which woul… Continue Reading
Pro-Choice Caucus Statement on Court’s Decision to Allow Trump’s Title X ‘Gag Rule’ to Take Effect
June 20, 2019Washington, D.C. - U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), the co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, released the following statement today in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit's decision to temporarily allow the Trump Administration's Title X Domestic gag rule to go into effect while the underlying lawsuit challenging its legality remains pending: "The Ninth Circuit's decision ruling that the Trump gag rule can go into effect threatens access to bir… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Applauds House Passage of her Provision to Sunset the 2001 Military Authorization
June 19, 2019Washington D.C. -- In response to the inclusion and passage of her language to sunset the 2001 Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF) in H.R. 2470, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Legislative Branch, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act (LHHS) for the fiscal year 2020, House Appropriations Committee Member Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "My amendment to repeal the 2001 AUMF was inc… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Commends the House Budget Committee’s Hearing on Poverty in America
June 19, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, following the House Budget Committee's Poverty in America: Economic Realities of Struggling Families hearing with the Poor People's Campaign, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Member of the Budget Committee and Chair of the Majority Leader's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, released the following statement: "Today's hearing is not only timely, but necessary. According to the Poor People's Moral Budget: Everybody Has the Right to Live, more than 140 million Americans are… Continue Reading
Hoyer, Lee Lead Letter to the Office of Management and Budget Director Opposing Changes to the Official Poverty Calculation
June 18, 2019WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity Chair Barbara Lee (CA-13) sent a letter to Acting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought urging him not to implement the recently announced changes to the federal poverty calculations. Majority Leader Hoyer and Chair Lee were joined on the letter by Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21), Vice Chair on Rural Poverty; Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Vice Chair on Urban Poverty; Rep. … Continue Reading
Reps. Barbara Lee and Ayanna Pressley Lead a Health Care Discussion with Faith Leaders
June 14, 2019OAKLAND, CA -- On Friday, June 14, 2019, Reps. Barbara Lee and Ayanna Pressley led a discussion with faith leaders from the East Bay on health care and voting rights at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland. "We're facing unprecedented attacks on the health care of Americans," Rep. Lee told several dozen faith leaders. "The Trump administration and the GOP are undermining access to health care by continuing their crusade to do away with the Affordable Care Act and trying to roll back protectio… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Condemns Ongoing Attacks Against Peaceful Protesters in Sudan
June 13, 2019Washington, D.C. - Following reports of continued violence in Sudan, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement: "I am saddened and appalled by the continued attacks on peaceful protestors in Sudan. Reports indicate that over 100 people have been killed and that more than 784 people have been injured. Additionally, there are grave reports of sexual violence against protestors and that medical facilities have been targeted by security forces. This is unacceptable. "I strongly co… Continue Reading
Barbara Lee Statement on Fiscal Year 20 Department of Homeland Security and Financial Services and General Government Bills
June 12, 2019WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to the House Appropriations Committee's passage of the fiscal year Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, House Appropriations Committee Member Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "The fiscal year 2020 Homeland Security bill makes targeted investments in disaster relief, resources to meet the humanitarian needs of migrants, and programs proven to keep Americans safe. Importantly, this bill protect our communities by… Continue Reading
Statement from Congresswoman Barbara Lee on D-Day and the contributions of African Americans
June 06, 2019In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released this statement: "As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, we honor the African American men who risked their lives for freedoms denied to them in the United States. Two units - the Tuskegee Airmen and the 92nd infantry - were instrumental in the success of Normandy and the Allied advance. Known as the Buffalo Soldiers, the 92nd infantry was a segregated, all-black military unit - among … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Reintroduces Resolution to Increase Access to Affordable Housing
June 06, 2019WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H.RES. 429, reaffirming that all people deserve access to safe, affordable, and decent housing. The resolution supports expanded federal funding of affordable housing programs and affirms expansion of renters' rights because housing is a basic human right. "We are facing an affordable housing crisis, which is why I am proud to introduce my Renter Bill of Rights Resolution," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "This resolution resp… Continue Reading