Press Releases
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
Congresswoman Lee Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act
April 11, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act: "For the past fifty years, the Fair Housing Act has been a vital tool in the fight for civil rights. This legislation has played a critical role in addressing explicit racial discrimination and segregation in housing and ensuring all Americans have equal access to housing. "This 50th anniversary we must reflect on the work that still needs to be done in order to reali… Continue Reading
Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Urge the President to Seek Congressional Authorization Before Using Military Force Against Syria
April 10, 2018Washington, D.C. - A bipartisan group of lawmakers - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC), Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Congressman Justin Amash (R-MI) - issued the following statement urging the president to follow the Constitution and seek congressional authorization before taking military action against Syria: "We are deeply concerned by reports that the president is considering military action against Syria without congressional authorization. "The Cons… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Marks 50th Anniversary of Dr. King’s Assassination
April 04, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee released the following statement to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination: "Fifty years ago today, our nation was forever changed when Dr. King was tragically shot and killed while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. Dr. King was a revolutionary who fought against the institutionalized forces of racism that continue to undermine the promise of freedom, liberty, and equality upon which our nation was… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Welcomes Oakland Students to the #MarchForOurLives
March 24, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to Oakland students participating in the #MarchForOurLives event in Washington, D.C. "I am so honored to have students from the East Oakland Youth Development Center participate in this important march to protest gun violence, as many of them know far too well the devastating effects of this violence. "Tragic mass shootings, like the one in Parkland, Florida, galvanize attention on the gun control… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Slams Appointment of John Bolton as National Security Advisor
March 22, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the news that John Bolton will replace H.R. McMaster as the National Security Advisor: "This is dangerous news for the country and the world. John Bolton was easily one of the most extreme, pro-war members of the Bush Administration. Just imagine what havoc he could wreak whispering in Donald Trump's ear. "I hear the drumbeats of war." ###… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee: FY2018 Omnibus Exemplifies GOP Dysfunction
March 22, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on her decision to oppose the FY2018 Omnibus Deal: "No omnibus bill is perfect - but for many reasons, this legislation falls far short. This eleventh-hour omnibus comes after months of dysfunction and multiple shutdowns. And after all these delays, Republican leadership gave Members of Congress less than 24 hours to read and analyze this $1.3 trillion, 2,232 page bill. Let me be clear: this process is designed… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Questions Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos about Discrimination in Public Schools
March 20, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, at the Appropriations-Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing, Congresswoman Barbara Lee questioned Secretary Betsy DeVos on her priorities for the Department of Education under the FY2019 Budget. Congresswoman Lee sought answers on racial biases in school discipline policies. Watch the video of Congresswoman Lee's exchange with Secretary DeVos here. ###… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Statement on the Passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter
March 16, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released following statement on the passing of Rules Committee Ranking Member Louise Slaughter (NY-25): "I am heartbroken over the passing of my dear friend and mentor, Louise Slaughter. Louise was a fighter and champion for American working families for over 30 years. She was a trailblazer, the first woman to serve as Chair of the Rules Committee and the only microbiologist in Congress. And throughout her years of service, she stayed true to the wor… Continue Reading
During Women’s History Month, Reps. Lee & Poliquin Lead Bipartisan Effort to Issue Quarters Honoring Prominent American Women
March 16, 2018Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and Bruce Poliquin (R-ME-02) introduced H.R. 5308, landmark legislation directing the U.S. Treasury to issue quarters, one from each of the 50 states and the U.S. territories, to honor women who have made significant contributions to America. The governor or executive of each state or territory would recommend a design to the Treasury, in consultation with various stakeholders. If enacted, the quarter program would coincide with… Continue Reading
On National Walk Out Day, Congresswoman Lee Announces Reintroduction of Tiahrt Restrictions Repeal Act
March 14, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today as thousands of students walk out of schools across the country to demand commonsense gun reform, Congresswoman Barbara Lee reintroduced the Tiahrt Restrictions Repeal Act, H.R. 5271. The Tiahrt Amendments are harmful that prevent the FBI from maintaining background check data, or keeping data on gun traces and gun inventories. These restrictions also prevent researches from accessing valuable data for studies to begin to make recommendations on how to address our nation… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Applauds Student Walk Outs to Protest Gun Violence
March 14, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement applauding student walk outs in the East Bay and throughout the country to protest gun violence: "I am so proud of the courage and resilience shown by our East Bay students and students across the country who stood up and walked out to protest gun violence. That's why I walked out of the US Capitol in solidarity with the brave students demanding action to end this plague on our communities. While this protest w… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee’s Statement on Firing of Rex Tillerson, Nominations of Mike Pompeo and Gina Haspel
March 13, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the firing of Rex Tillerson and the nominations of Mike Pompeo to serve as Secretary of State and Gina Haspel as CIA Director: "President Trump has chosen the worst possible time to upend our national security and diplomatic agencies. Rather than sowing chaos within his own cabinet, President Trump should be working with seasoned experts to prepare for the high-stakes talks with North Korea and addressing Russia's… Continue Reading
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applaud Selection of San Francisco and Oakland to Host 2020 International AIDS Conference
March 13, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, the International AIDS Society (IAS) announced they will be hosting the 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020) in San Francisco and Oakland, California. This conference will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the 1990 AIDS Conference, which was held in the Bay Area at the height of the U.S. epidemic. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Barbara Lee applauded the decision. "San Francisco is an inseparable part of the story of HIV/AIDS," said Democ… Continue Reading