Press Releases
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
October 17, 2024
Lee, Jayapal Statement on Death of Yahya Sinwar
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement regarding the death of terrorist Yahya Sinwar: "Yahya Sinwar was the leader of Hamas who planned the brutal October 7 terrorist attack. His death should provide new opportunities to work towards peace in the Middle East. As we have maintained from the very beginning of this war, a ceasefire and hostage deal is key to resolving this conflict. Both sides should use this opportunity … Continue Reading
October 13, 2024
Progressive Members Call on POTUS to Utilize Diplomacy, Reject Calls for War with Iran
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), James P. McGovern (MA-02), and Greg Casar (TX-35) today issued the following statement following press reports regarding possible U.S. participation in an offensive strike on Iran: “Let us be clear: we strongly condemn Iran’s reprehensible launch of ballistic missiles into Israel. Military force will not solve the challenge posed by Iran. We need meaningful de-escalation and diplomacy—not a wider war. Addressing … Continue Reading
October 08, 2024
Rep. Lee & Congressional Lead Safety Leaders Applaud Finalization of New Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, Announcement of $2.6 Billion in New Funding to Help Remove Lead Pipes Across America
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) along with co-chairs of the U.S. House Get the Lead Out Caucus Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), and Co-founders of the U.S. Senate Lead Task Force Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today lauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to finalize the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which would lower the lead action level … Continue Reading
October 07, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Horrific October 7 Attack
“One year ago today, Israel suffered a horrific terrorist attack by Hamas. We continue to mourn the lives lost on that tragic day. I was devastated by the immense suffering then, and remain devasted by the suffering across the region that has happened since. As we remember the lives lost on October 7 and in the past year, we must continue to push for diplomatic solutions to achieve peace and security in the region. As I have maintained from the very beginning of this war, a ceasefire and … Continue Reading
October 04, 2024
Lee, McGovern, Pocan, Castro, McCollum Urge Biden Administration to Comply with Existing U.S. Law
WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), alongside Representatives James P. McGovern (D-MA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Betty McCollum (D-MN) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressing their alarm regarding the lack of U.S. enforcement of the Leahy Law as it pertains to U.S. assistance to Israel. “We strongly urge you to apply the law as written and act swiftly to bar any Israeli military unit … Continue Reading
September 30, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Launch of HHS’ Food is Medicine Initiative Toolkit
WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for releasing the first-ever Food is Medicine Initiative toolkit, an interactive website with resources to advance Food is Medicine (FIM) approaches across the country and help communities to reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and food insecurity. “I applaud HHS’ efforts to support the development and expansion of Food Is Medicine interventions around the country,” said … Continue Reading
September 27, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Affirms “Woke” to Black History and Social Justice in Congressional Resolution
WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) this week filed an official resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives attributing the term ‘‘woke’’ and its historical connection to Black history, Black liberation movements, and social justice following Republican members of Congress misusing the term “woke” and attempting to propagate Project 2025 as an “anti-woke” agenda. Congresswoman Lee has played a part in popularizing the term, as evidenced by her name being included in … Continue Reading
September 27, 2024
Lee, Davis, Adams, Van Hollen, and Booker Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Improve Access to Care for Americans with Sickle Cell Disease
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), and Alma Adams (D-N.C.), alongside U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), reintroduced the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act, legislation to improve access to care for Americans living with sickle cell disease (SCD). In the United States, approximately 100,000 people are affected by SCD, a rare, genetically inherited disorder that causes a person’s red blood cells to become … Continue Reading
September 26, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Passage of Continuing Resolution to Avoid Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today released the following statement after President Joe Biden signed a temporary government spending bill that keeps the government funded until December 20: “While I’m pleased that we averted yet another government shutdown, it continues to be deeply unsettling that Democrats, once again, have been forced to save the country from Republican dysfunction. The GOP is in full disarray, making governance painstakingly difficult. “I voted for to … Continue Reading
September 26, 2024
Lee, DeLauro, Peterson Introduce Resolution Highlighting Diaper Need Awareness Week
WASHINGTON-Today, U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) introduced a resolution designating September 23-29 as National Diaper Need Awareness Week. National Diaper Need Awareness Week recognize the importance of clean, affordable diapers to infant health and family well-being. “Diaper need is an invisible part of poverty in America,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Low-income families spend around 14% of their income on diapers. That is … Continue Reading