Press Releases
Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Marks 15 Years of PEPFAR
May 24, 2018Washington, D.C. - This May, Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) marked the 15th Anniversary of the signing of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). "As an original author of PEPFAR, I am incredibly proud of the progress we've made in the last 15 years to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic. PEPFAR has saved millions of lives around the world and helped those with the disease live with dignity and s… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Slams Irresponsible, Wasteful National Defense Authorization Act
May 24, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives: "The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an opportunity for Congress to take a hard look at our national security priorities and ensure that our voice is heard on matters of war and peace. Sadly, once again, Congress has chosen to squander this chance and kick the can down the road. "The FY19 NDAA does nothing to ad… Continue Reading
Trump Title X Gag Rule Will Harm Millions of Patients, Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Say
May 23, 2018Washington, D.C. - President Trump's new proposed rule on Title X-supported programs is effectively a gag rule that will harm millions of women and families. This new rule would ban providers from referring or counseling patients on their full range of reproductive options by forcing health care providers who treat underserved communities nationwide to choose between continued funding for a range of health care services and helping women understand and exercise their constitutionally-protected r… Continue Reading
Tri-Caucus Announces Introduction of Health Equity and Accountability Act
May 23, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Senator Mazie Hirono, CAPAC Chairwoman Judy Chu, CHC Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, and CBC Chairman Cedric Richmond released the following statement announcing the House introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2018: "The Health Equity and Accountability Act is a bold, comprehensive vision for addressing persistent ethnic and racial health disparities and improving health outcomes in communities of color. By building … Continue Reading
Pro-Choice Leaders in the House: Trump’s Title X Proposed Rule is Anti-Women’s Health
May 18, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), alongside House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY), Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA), Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), released the foll… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Walter Jones Outline Bipartisan AUMF Principles
May 15, 2018Washington, D.C. - Ahead of the Senate mark-up of the Corker-Kaine war authorization (S.J.Res. 59), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) sent a bipartisan letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee outlining tailored principles for inclusion in any new Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). The letter, which was signed by a bipartisan coalition of 49 Members of Congress, condemned the overly broad Corker-Kaine AUMF and urged consideration of an … Continue Reading
Chairman Crowley, Sens. Warren, Murray, and Hassan and Rep. Barbara Lee Oppose Title X Domestic Gag Rule
May 15, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY), Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), and Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) led more than two hundred of their colleagues expressing opposition to the implementation of a domestic … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Condemns U.S. Embassy Move to Jerusalem
May 14, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee condemned the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, amid clashes that killed dozens of Palestinians: "By moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, the Trump Administration has unnecessarily escalated tensions in the region and set back decades of bipartisan work towards a two-state solution. Make no mistake: this is a backwards step that will push peace even further out of our grasp. "I mourn the violence and loss of life in Gaza. I will continue to ur… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Marks Mother’s Day
May 13, 2018Oakland, C.A. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement to mark Mother's Day: "My mother, Mildred Parish Massey, fought for me from the day I was born. She needed a cesarean section to deliver me, but the hospital refused to admit her because she was black. When - after a long ordeal - she was finally admitted, it was too late for a C-section. My mother became unconscious and nearly died as a result of an emergency forceps delivery. I barely made it into this world. "I know person… Continue Reading
Rep. Barbara Lee Joins Rep. Diana DeGette to Lead Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus
May 10, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, today announced that Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) would co-chair the caucus, a coalition of members of the House of Representatives who are working to preserve, protect and advance women's constitutionally-protected reproductive rights. "Every woman should be able to make her own decisions about reproductive health care with dignity and respect - and without politicians, employers, or anyone… Continue Reading
House Democrats Issue Statement on Trump Iran Announcement
May 08, 2018Washington, DC - On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, along with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Congressman David Price (D-NC), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), John Yarmuth (D-KY), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) released the following statement after President Trump announced that he would not waive, and would reimpose, Iranian sanctions lifted as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran Nuclear Deal: "In refusing to waive… Continue Reading
CBC TECH 2020 Task Force Unveils S.M.A.R.T Investment Principles for an Inclusive Tech Economy
May 04, 2018Washington, DC - Members of the Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force unveiled a set of principles to guide growth in the technology industry that is shared widely in diverse communities and parts of the country. For the culmination of their return delegation to Silicon Valley, members unveiled new "S.M.A.R.T. Investment Principles" to build a more inclusive and equitable technology sector. Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-0… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $93.8 Million in USAID Funding to Oakland’s Public Health Institute
May 02, 2018Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced that the Public Health Institute in Oakland was awarded $93,873,052 from the United States Agency for International Development to develop diverse global health professionals to make innovative and measurable contributions to the field of public health. "I am pleased that the Public Health Institute has been awarded this critical funding from USAID to ensure a new generation of diverse health professionals will be recruited, trained and e… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Marks Twenty Years of Congressional Service
April 20, 2018Washington, D.C. - This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee celebrated the twentieth anniversary of her swearing in to Congress. In her two decades of congressional service, Congresswoman Lee has been a principled leader on Capitol Hill advocating for peace, justice and equal opportunity. "On this anniversary, I am deeply grateful to my constituents in the East Bay who show our nation what true progressive values look like. Throughout the past twenty years, I have attempted to bring their progressi… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Statement on End of Castro Leadership in Cuba
April 19, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), a co-chair of the Cuba Working Group, released the following statement on the change in leadership in Cuba: "For the first time in nearly six decades, the world will know Cuba without a Castro at the helm. For the United States, this is an opportunity for improving our relationship with our neighbor just 90 miles off the Florida coast - a chance we cannot afford to let slip through our grasp. "Should the United States fail to build on this … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on the Passing of Supervisor Doris Ward
April 18, 2018Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Lee released a statement after the passing of Doris Ward, the first African American to lead the San Francisco Board of Supervisors: "I am truly saddened by the news of the passing of my friend, Doris Ward. Doris was a fearless champion for racial and economic justice. I will be forever inspired by her tireless service and her unwavering commitment to stand up against racism and discrimination in all forms. "I offer my deepest condolences and prayers to the Ward fam… Continue Reading
Pro-Choice Leaders in the House: Republicans Must Stop Undermining Title X & TPPP
April 18, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY), alongside Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-CT), Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), released the following statement after congressional Republicans asked the Trump administrati… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Corker-Kaine AUMF Proposal
April 17, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the Corker-Kaine draft Authorization for the Use of Military Force of 2018: "I am pleased to see the Senate taking long overdue legislative action to replace the 2001 AUMF and debate our endless wars. However, I have grave concerns about the current proposal authored by Senator Bob Corker and Senator Tim Kaine that would continue our state of perpetual war. "Rather than reining in the Trump Administration's blank… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Condemns President Trump’s Strike Against Syria
April 13, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after President Trump launched a military strike against the Syrian government: "President Trump's decision to launch military strikes against the Syrian regime - without congressional input or authorization - shows a contempt for the U.S Constitution and is without legal justification. The use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Government against innocent civilians is heinous. I fully support all international account… Continue Reading
Hoyer, Lee Statement on Executive Order to Keep Millions in Poverty
April 12, 2018WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, released the following statement in response to President Trump's executive order to undermine proven anti-poverty programs: "This executive order is further evidence that President Trump doesn't understand what it's like to struggle in our economy. Democrats want to get more Americans out of poverty and into the … Continue Reading