Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds the Passage of DC Statehood Bill
April 22, 2021Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted to pass H.R. 51, legislation that would admit D.C. as the 51st state - securing for the city's 712,000 residents voting representation in Congress and full self-government.?Currently, Americans living in the District are subject to federal taxes and federal policies without full representation in the federal government or full self-governance at the local level. This legislation, which was introduced by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes No… Continue Reading
Rep. Lee and Sen. Sanders Introduce Tax on Wall Street Speculation Act to Curb Greed
April 21, 2021Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the Tax on Wall Street Speculation Act along with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and ten House Democrats. The legislation imposes a tax of a fraction of a percent on the trades of stocks, bonds, and derivatives. This tax on Wall Street speculation, also known as a financial transaction tax, is estimated to generate up to $2.4 trillion in public revenue from wealthy investors over … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Joins Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey in Reintroducing Green New Deal Resolution
April 20, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today joined Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey in reintroducing the Green New Deal Resolution (GND). A copy of the resolution can be found HERE. The Green New Deal resolution envisions a 10-year national mobilization, akin to FDR's New Deal, that would put millions to work in good-paying, union jobs repairing the nation's infrastructure, reducing air and water pollution, and fighting the intertwined economic, so… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act
April 15, 2021Washington, D.C. -Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today voted to pass H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness?Act, to strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963, eliminate the gender wage gap, and ensure that women can challenge pay discrimination and hold employers accountable. This bill closes loopholes in the 1963 Equal Pay Act that have allowed employers to pay men and women unequally. Under this legislation, employers will be required to prove that pay disparities exist for legitimate, job-related reaso… Continue Reading
Reps. Lee and Joyce Join with Senator Schatz to Introduce Legislation to Protect State-Legal Medical Marijuana Programs for Veterans
April 15, 2021Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Dave Joyce (R-OH), co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, joined with Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) to introduce the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act of 2021, which would allow doctors at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to discuss and potentially recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states that have established medical marijuana programs. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would create a te… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Historic Passage of Reparations Legislation out of House Judiciary Committee
April 15, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) applauded the historic passage of H.R. 40, The Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act, out of the House Judiciary Committee: "Today's passage of H.R. 40 out of the House Judiciary Committee is historic. Over 30 years after its first introduction in Congress, H.R. 40 is finally making its way to the House floor."Against the backdrop of the horrific events that have recently transpired in Minnesota, thi… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Applauds President Biden’s Withdrawal of Troops from Afghanistan
April 14, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today applauded President Biden for keeping his promise of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, effectively ending the longest war in American history. President Biden today announced that he will begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan with the goal of eliminating the presence of all troops by September 11, 2021-twenty years since the beginning of the war. "I applaud and strongly support President Biden's decision to withdraw troops fro… Continue Reading
Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Applaud FDA Decision to Suspend Restriction on Mifepristone
April 13, 2021Washington, DC - Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Diana DeGette (CO-01) today applauded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) letter to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) indicating that it will halt enforcement of the medically unnecessary in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone. "It is cruel to restrict access to abortion care at any time, but it is especially dangerous during a global health crisis," said the lawmakers. "The unnece… Continue Reading
Rep. Lee Reacts to the Announcement of the First Two Honorees in the American Women Quarters Program
April 12, 2021The United States Mint implements the new four year program as authorized by Rep. Lee's Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, which was recently signed into law Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today applauded the United States Mint for announcing the names of the first two women to be honored on coins issued under the American Women Quarters Program. The two distinguished American women celebrated on the reverse of the program's circulating quarters will be fa… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on President Biden’s Budget Proposal
April 09, 2021Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on President Biden's FY22 budget proposal: "President Biden's budget proposal is a sign that we are reinvesting in human needs in these challenging times. This $1.5 trillion budget proposal will serve as a down payment on our investment in the needs of families across the country. "I was pleased to see in Biden's proposal a substantial increase in funding… Continue Reading
Chairwoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Proposal
April 09, 2021Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, today released the following statement on President Biden's fiscal year 2022 budget proposal: "President Biden's $63.5 billion budget request for foreign affairs will allow the United States to again be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security. This much-needed 12% increase to our diplomatic and development programs will help us deal with a global pan… Continue Reading
Reps. Lee, Pressley, and Senator Warren Applaud CDC’s Declaration of Racism as a Public Health Crisis
April 09, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) released the following statement applauding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) commitment to address centuries of structural racism and discrimination in the U.S. public health system. The lawmakers reintroduced the Anti-Racism in Public Health Act, a bicameral bill to declare structural racism a public health crisis and confront its public health… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Reintroduces Legislation Marking National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
April 09, 2021Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, reintroduced legislation marking April 10th as National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD). Inadequate HIV education and low testing rates mean that many young people may not know their HIV status, or what services and prevention methods are available to them. Socio-economic status impacts access to care and stigma may discourage many young people from seeking information or care that co… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Completes Week of Events Promoting the American Rescue Plan
April 09, 2021Oakland, CA - In three events this week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) partnered with major public and private sector leaders from California to promote the American Rescue Plan, the COVID relief bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden last month to help families and businesses impacted by the pandemic. On Monday, April 5, Congresswoman Lee welcomed Vice President Kamala Harris to Oakland, and introduced the Vice President at an event at a local business to highligh… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces FEMA Funeral Assistance Funding
April 08, 2021Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today announced a new development for families seeking assistance with funeral costs for loved ones that have passed away as a result of COVID-19. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses after January 20, 2020. Starting, Monday, April 12, those wh… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on U.S. Resuming Funding to UNRWA
April 07, 2021Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released a statement following U.S. Secretary of State Blinken's announcement that the United States will resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA): "Over the last several years, despite rising demands, extreme financial burdens, and the outbreak of COVID-19, UNRWA has managed to continue its mandate providing vital health, education, and social services to approximately 5.… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on the Continuation of Vaccine Distribution Services at the Oakland Coliseum
April 07, 2021OAKLAND, CA -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement that the state, in partnership with Alameda and Contra Costa counties, will extend vaccine distribution operations at the Oakland Coliseum and mobile vaccine sites for an additional four weeks. FEMA and Cal OES have operated the site as a pilot for eight weeks, however FEMA is scheduled to leave on April 11. "Thank you to Governor Gavin Newsom and Alameda and Contra Costa counties for… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Mourns the Loss of Congressman Alcee Hastings
April 06, 2021Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the death of 15-term Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL):"My deepest condolences are with my colleague and dear friend, Congressman Alcee Hastings', family, wife Patricia, and staff. Congressman Hastings dedicated his life to public service and justice as a civil rights lawyer, a judge, and throughout his 15 years in Congress."I met Congressman Hastings in the 1980's, long before my time in Congress. My good fr… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Deadly Attack at the U.S. Capitol
April 02, 2021Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement on the violent attack at the U.S. Capitol today resulting in the tragic death of U.S. Capitol Police Officer William F. Evans in the line of duty: "I am shocked and profoundly saddened by the events that occurred at the U.S. Capitol this afternoon. Fortunately, our staff in D.C. is safe and sound. "Capitol police risk their lives for the safety of Members of Congress, Congressional staff, custodial staff, and the ent… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds President Biden’s American Jobs Plan
March 31, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today applauded the Biden Administration's American Jobs Plan, which invests $2.3 trillion to repair our nation's crumbling infrastructure, modernize public transit, and create millions of jobs. "President Biden's American Jobs Plan is a welcome step in our work to combat the climate crisis, improve our crumbling infrastructure, create good-paying union jobs, support childcare and caregiving, and build back bolder," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. … Continue Reading