Press Releases
Rep. Lee Statement on Hispanic Heritage Month
September 16, 2021WASHINGTON D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) statement in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is recognized every year from September 15 to October 15: "Every year, Americans honor Hispanic Heritage Month to commemorate the immeasurable contributions of the of the diverse Hispanic community. Growing up in El Paso, Texas, I learned from and gained a deep respect for the Latino community and their heritage. I now have the privilege of serving a vibrant and dynamic community of L… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11
September 11, 2021Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement recognizing the 20th anniversary of the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001: "20 years ago, the world witnessed a horrific attack on our nation. Today, we remember and honor the thousands lost on that day and those we've since lost to 9/11-related illnesses. As a nation, we continue to offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to their families and loved ones. We will never forget th… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Appointed Democratic Congressional Representative to the United Nations
September 09, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today announced herappointment to serve as Congressional Representative of the United States to the Seventy-Sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. This is the fifth time Congresswoman Lee has been appointed to this position. Congresswoman Lee will continue to represent the 13th Congressional District of California while she assumes the duties of a Representative to the United Nations. "I am deeply honored by the opport… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Renters’ Bill of Rights Legislation
September 07, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), today introduced a Renters' Bill of Rights Resolution affirming the right of all renters to a safe, affordable, and decent home. The Renters' Bill of Rights Resolution supports a significant investment in housing resources to build and preserve affordable housing for America's poorest families and to end homelessness and housing poverty once and for all. The resolution also supports funding for programs to increase access to affordable hou… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Enactment of Texas Anti-Abortion Law
September 01, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, released the following statement on the enactment of Texas S.B. 8, an extreme anti-abortion law: "Texas's radical anti-abortion legislation is an attack on human rights, reproductive rights, and the health of millions of people -- especially low-income people and people of color. As one who knows personally the devastating consequences of abortion restrictions, I know that Congress must figh… Continue Reading
Rep. Lee Introduces Legislation Marking the International Day for People of African Descent
August 31, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today introduced a resolution marking the International Day for People of African Descent, celebrated for the first time on August 31, 2021. "This resolution honoring the first International Day for People of African Descent is truly historic and reflects our shared values that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Our goal is to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Completion of U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan
August 30, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement on the completion of U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan: "Today's final withdrawal is a sobering moment. As we reflect on the ultimate sacrifices made by our troops over the years, and most recently lost in the tragedy in Kabul, we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to our courageous armed service members. They made the ultimate sacrifice and did everything that was asked of them over the last two decades. … Continue Reading
Reps. Lee, Pressley, Bush, Gomez, Ocasio-Cortez and Colleagues Call on Congress to Act on Eviction Moratorium
August 30, 2021Washington, D.C. - Representative Barbara Lee (CA-13) joined Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Cori Bush (MO-01), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and 59 of their House colleagues in urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to pass legislation to extend the federal eviction moratorium for the duration of the pandemic. The lawmakers' letter follows the Supreme Court's ruling that struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent… Continue Reading
Reps. Lee, Pocan Urge Lower NDAA Spending Levels
August 30, 2021WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Mark Pocan (WI-02), both co-founders and Co-Chairs of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus and members of the House Appropriations Committee, sent a letter to House Armed Services Committee Chair Adam Smith today urging him and the committee to not pass a National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22 NDAA) that is larger than the level requested by President Biden earlier this year. "As we watch the tragic humanita… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on USAID’s Announcement of Additional Humanitarian Support for Haiti
August 27, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for State Department and Foreign Operations, issued the following statement upon USAID's announcement of additional humanitarian support for Haiti: "As Chair of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I was pleased to see Thursday's announcement from USAID of $32 million in International Disaster Assistance (IDA) to assist with the humanitarian response in Haiti. The… Continue Reading
Reps. Lee and Bass Call on Administration to Donate 100 million Additional Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine to African Nations
August 27, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, and Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, joined by an additional 13 CBC members, sent a letter calling on the Administration to donate and urge other countries to donate 100 million additional vaccines to African nations. African nations have recei… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Recognizes Women’s Equality Day
August 26, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement on Women's Equality Day, commemorating the 101st anniversary of the adoption of the 19th amendment: "As we commemorate the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, we must celebrate those who broke down the barriers that prevented women from voting and using their voices in democracy. This amendment led to not only women participating in government but leading it." "The adoption of the 19th Amen… Continue Reading
Representatives Lee and Ocasio-Cortez Lead Call for an Increase in United States Refugee Admissions Programs Cap as Afghanistan Crisis Continues
August 26, 2021Washington, DC - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) led a group of 66 members of Congress in calling on the Biden Administration to increase the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program cap to no less than 200,000 when President Biden issues his Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 before October 1st. In Afghanistan--where the Taliban has overthrown the Afghan government--Afghan allies of the U.S., women's rights a… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Move Forward with Build Back Better Agenda
August 24, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement after voting to move forward with the budget reconciliation process, opening the door to the passage of the American Jobs and Families Plans: "Today was a crucial step forward in delivering relief for our constituents. It's clear that investing in our neglected human and physical infrastructure is long overdue. We know the American people are hurting. But House Democrats know that what is contained in the Buil… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Pass John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
August 24, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today voted in support of H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, to restore the full strength of the Voting Rights Act after the Supreme Court decisions of Shelby County v. Holder in 2013 and Brnovich v. DNC in 2021. This votes comes amid an unprecedented state-level effort to restrict the right to vote. According to a Brennan Center for Justice report, as of July 14, 2021, 18 states had enacted 30 laws that restrict the right to vote … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Welcomes Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to California’s 13th Congressional District
August 20, 2021Berkeley, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today welcomed U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to California's 13th Congressional District for two events highlighting innovative responses to the global climate crisis. Congresswoman Lee and Secretary Granholm, a former UC Berkeley faculty member, first toured the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to hear from the nation's leading scientists about their efforts to discover new technologies, ensure a clean and sustainable water su… Continue Reading
Poverty Task Force Co-Chairs Applaud Biden Administration’s Increase in Federal Hunger Program
August 18, 2021Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), co-chair of the Majority Leader's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), and Rules Chairman and anti-hunger advocate Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) applauded the announcement from the Biden Administration revising nutrition standards for SNAP, the federal food stamp program. This move has prompted the largest permanent increase to nutritional benefits in the program's history. "No family… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Crisis in Afghanistan
August 17, 2021Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement on the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan: "The people of Afghanistan are facing a terrible tragedy. It is crucial that we ensure the safe evacuation of Americans and allies, including our Afghan allies. That must be our top priority. This is an untenable and dire situation, and we have a moral obligation to protect Afghans seeking refuge. "We should expedite Special Immigrant Visas and support all in Afghanistan -U.S. Citiz… Continue Reading
Chairwoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Earthquake in Haiti
August 14, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement on the earthquake in Haiti: "I am saddened by the news that a powerful earthquake struck Haiti this morning, only 11 years after the country was devastated by the massive 2010 quake. While we are waiting for concrete information, the scale of this quake likely means Haiti will need significant support from the U.S. and the internationa… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Passage of 2002 AUMF Legislation out of Senate Foreign Relations Committee
August 04, 2021Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today applauded the passage of S.J.Res.10 - a joint resolution to repeal the 2002 and 1991 authorizations for the use of military force (AUMF) - out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a vote of 14-8. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement: "Today we are one step closer to ending forever wars. Chairman Menendez and Senator Kaine are building on our momentum in the House, and I'm looking forward to seeing how quickly we c… Continue Reading