Press Releases
Lee, Khanna Introduce Bill, Send Letter Urging Study of Anti-Sex Trafficking Legislation's Impacts on Sex Worker Health, Safety
Bill to study impacts of SESTA/FOSTA on sex workers’ health, safety and trafficking investigations; letter pushes agencies to undertake national study Text of Bill (PDF) | Text of Letter (PDF) | One Pager (PDF) Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) , led lawmakers in reintroducing the SAFE SEX Workers Study Act, legislation directing the Department of Health and Human Services … Continue Reading
December 18, 2024
Representative Lee Introduces PEPFAR Reauthorization
Lee also announced Congresswoman Robin Kelly will lead the fight to reauthorize PEPFAR in the 119th Congress WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12), co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, today reintroduced legislation to extend the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. Lee worked with President George W. Bush and a broad community of activists, community leaders and clinicians to establish PEPFAR in 2003. Since its inception, PEPFAR has … Continue Reading
December 17, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee in Final Remarks on House Floor: “It Has Been the Privilege of My Lifetime to Serve”
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) on Tuesday delivered her final remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of Congress. “For 26 years now, it has been the privilege of my lifetime to serve my incredible constituents of California’s 12th Congressional district,” said Lee. Lee has been a member of Congress for over 25 years. During her quarter century of service, Lee has been a fierce advocate in the fights for peace, equity, and justice. Lee is the … Continue Reading
December 11, 2024
Lee, Pocan Reject $895 Billion NDAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), co-chairs and co-founders of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus, released the following statement after voting against the final passage of the $895 billion FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual bill neither member has voted for since being elected to Congress: “Time and time again, Congress seems to be able to find the funds necessary to line the pockets of defense contractors while … Continue Reading
December 10, 2024
Lee, McClellan Introduce Resolution Recognizing U.S. Commitment to End Pediatric HIV/AIDS
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswomen Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) introduced H.Res. 1613, a resolution to recognize the United States’ commitment to end pediatric HIV/AIDS worldwide and support HIV/AIDS prevention through continued research and assistance. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 39,000,000 people lived with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2023. Women accounted for approximately half of all cases. Children made up approximately … Continue Reading
December 09, 2024
Vice President Harris Signs Congresswoman Lee’s Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12) on Monday attended the signing in the U.S. Capitol of her bipartisan legislation to honor the life and work of the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress. Vice President Kamala Harris signed the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, posthumously awarding Chisholm with a Congressional Gold Medal - the highest award Congress can bestow - in commemoration of her accomplishments, activism, and … Continue Reading
December 04, 2024
Lee, Butler Celebrate Passage of Bill to Honor Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm with Congressional Gold Medal
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12) and U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA) today celebrated the passage of Lee's bipartisan legislation to honor the life and work of the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968. The Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act would instruct Congress to posthumously bestow Chisholm with a Congressional Gold Medal - the highest award Congress can bestow - in commemoration of her accomplishments, … Continue Reading
December 04, 2024
ICYMI: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Pens Op-Ed, Speaks on House Floor to Recognize World AIDS Day
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, recognized World AIDS Day by writing an op-ed in The Advocate. In Congresswoman Lee’s op-ed, she acknowledged the tireless work of advocates and activists who have strategically worked to increase access to life-saving medications, fight stigma, and one day achieve an AIDS-free generation. Congresswoman Lee … Continue Reading
December 03, 2024
ICYMI: Congresswoman Lee Featured in The Nation on the Legacy She Leaves Behind in Congress
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) was featured in the December 2024 issue of The Nation. In a piece written by John Nichols, Lee explains why, during her 25 years in Congress, it was important for her “to disrupt and dismantle and build something that’s equitable and just and right.” Nichols wrote, “Barbara Lee started out as a Bay Area radical who didn’t believe that voting could make a difference in people’s lives. Shirley Chisholm set her straight, reminding the young Black … Continue Reading
December 03, 2024
Lee Celebrates Barbados’ Independence Day and Shirley Chisholm’s 100th Birthday with Congressional Colleagues in Barbados
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) over the weekend attended a bipartisan Congressional Delegation trip to Barbados with Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08) and Congressmembers Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-5), Steven Horsford (D-NV-4), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-9), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), and Stacey E. Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands). The delegation met with government officials and regional … Continue Reading
November 26, 2024
Lee, Lawmakers Seek Additional Progress on Federal Marijuana Law Before End of Biden Administration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), led lawmakers in sending a bicameral letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, urging the administration to make further progress on federal marijuana law before the end of the administration. The lawmakers applauded the historic steps the administration has taken to lessen the harms of … Continue Reading
November 22, 2024
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Over 25 years of Service with Members, Stakeholders, Former Staff
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) on Tuesday celebrated her 26 years of service and thanked her colleagues, stakeholders, and former staff at an event in the U.S. Capitol. Lee was greeted by a room full of her colleagues, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Judy Chu, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair … Continue Reading
November 18, 2024
Representatives Lee, McGovern, Meeks, and Castro Lead Congressional Letter to President Biden Urging Sanctions Relief for Cuba Amid Humanitarian Crisis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Jim McGovern (MA-2), Gregory Meeks (NY-5), and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led their colleagues in writing a letter to President Joe Biden urging immediate sanctions relief for the Cuban people amid widespread blackouts and an escalating energy crisis, exacerbated by the impact of Hurricane Rafael. “The situation is not only causing immense suffering for the Cuban people but also poses serious risks to U.S. national security interests,” the … Continue Reading
November 15, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Nearly $50 Million for the Port of Oakland
Lee helped secure this funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced plans to invest nearly $580 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund port improvement projects across the country, including $49,517,100 for the Port of Oakland’s Outer Harbor Terminal Infrastructure Modernization Project. “I was a proud supporter … Continue Reading
November 13, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds More Than $18 Million for Akash Systems Through CHIPS and Science Act
Lee helped secure funding for Black-owned Akash Systems in Oakland. This proposed CHIPS investment could create over 400 new jobs. Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today applauded the announcement that the Department of Commerce and Akash Systems have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to $18.2 million in proposed direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. The preliminary terms offered by the US Department of Commerce could unlock a … Continue Reading
November 11, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement Honoring Veterans Day
Oakland, CA — Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today released the following statement commemorating Veterans Day: “Today, on Veterans Day, let us recognize the courageous service members and their families who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation. “I am the proud daughter of a former service member, Lt. Col. Garvin Tutt. My father fought in two wars, even while facing discrimination as an African American at home and in the military. “I work each day in Congress to honor his … Continue Reading
November 06, 2024
MEDIA ADVISORY: Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Attend Press Conference Celebrating EPA’s $322 Million for the Port of Oakland
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today announced a press conference with the Port of Oakland on Friday, November 8 to applaud the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of $322 million for the Port of Oakland to decarbonize Port activities by providing Port tenants and Port users the opportunity to transition to zero emission alternatives. This funding comes after Lee led a letter with her congressional colleagues to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in July … Continue Reading
October 29, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Announcement of Over $300 Million for Port of Oakland
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of $322 million for the Port of Oakland to decarbonize Port activities by providing Port tenants and Port users the opportunity to transition to zero emission alternatives. This funding comes after Lee led a letter with her congressional colleagues to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in July pushing for the grant application to be approved. This federal funding will … Continue Reading
October 21, 2024
Lee, 64 House Democrats Write to Biden Administration Urging Unimpeded Media Access to Gaza
Members asking Biden Administration to take immediate action to advocate for unrestricted, unimpeded media access *Full Text of Letter (PDF)* WASHINGTON, D.C.— Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), has joined 64 of her colleagues including Representative James McGovern (D-MA), in a letter to President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for the United States to push for Israel to allow unimpeded access for U.S. and international journalists. The constantly shifting … Continue Reading
October 18, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Honored at ASUC Berkeley Event to Promote Civic Engagement
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) on Thursday was honored at an event hosted by the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) (UC Berkeley Student Government). The event centered around promoting civic engagement among young people and inspire them to be public servants and vote. In her remarks, Congresswoman Lee shared her experience as a student fighting in the civil rights movement and when Shirley Chisholm inspired her to vote. She also spoke about her time … Continue Reading