Press Releases
Congresswoman Lee: PEPFAR Reauthorization is “Testament to Bipartisan Cooperation”
August 03, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), along with their colleagues Chairman Ed Royce (CA-39), Ranking Member Eliot Engel (NY-16), Ranking Member Karen Bass (CA-37), and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), reintroduced the PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act, H.R. 6651. "For the last 15 years, PEPFAR has been a testament to the bipartisan cooperation on U.S. leadership in global public health. Thanks to PEPFAR, millions of lives hav… Continue Reading
Rep. Barbara Lee: Statement on Passing of Joel Silberman
August 02, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the passing of Joel Silberman: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Joel Silberman. Joel lived his life in service of others. He was a tireless champion for progressive politics, LGBT equality, and justice for all. He was a loyal friend, and his sense of humor was only rivaled by his compassion and thoughtfulness. Joel's passing is a major loss for the loss for the progressive community, who relied on … Continue Reading
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Submit Comments Opposing Title X Proposed Rule
August 01, 2018Washington, DC - Today, the co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), released the following statement on the public comments from more than 170 Members of Congress to the proposed changes to the Title X program: "For decades, Title X-funded programs have provided access to primary and reproductive health care to underserved communities all across our country. The program has been emblematic of a long history of bipartisan coo… Continue Reading
Rep. Barbara Lee: Statement on Passing of Congressman Ron Dellums
July 30, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on Congressman Ron Dellums: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm the passing of a great warrior and statesman, Congressman Ron Dellums. The contributions that Congressman Dellums made to our East Bay community, the nation, and the world are too innumerable to count. "I feel blessed to have called Congressman Dellums my dear friend, predecessor, and mentor. I will miss him tremendously, and I will hold dear to … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Attends 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam
July 27, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, at the 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, Congresswoman Lee issued a call to action to the global community to end AIDS by 2030 and address discrimination and inequality in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. "If we fail to address the inequalities within our communities, this turning point in our struggle to end AIDS will become a missed opportunity. Stigma, discrimination and inequality are holding us back," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "There a… Continue Reading
Lee, Serrano Applaud Passage of Amendment Extending Disaster Unemployment Assistance for Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands
July 25, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congressman Jose Serrano (NY-15) offered an amendment to the FY19 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill extending disaster unemployment assistance by one year for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The amendment was accepted into the bill with bipartisan support. "The people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are still suffering from the destruction wreaked by Hurricanes Irma and Maria," said Congresswoman Lee. "As th… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee’s Statement on Tragic Attack at MacArthur BART Station
July 24, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding the tragic stabbing of Nia and Letifah Wilson on BART: "Our entire East Bay community is mourning the senseless loss of Nia Wilson, a bright young woman with so much promise. My deepest condolences are with the Wilson family, and I join countless others in praying for Letifah Wilson's speedy recovery. Thank you to all the first responders and law enforcement officials for their heroic work treating the victi… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Bid for House Democratic Caucus Chair
July 23, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee sent a letter to her Democratic colleagues announcing her candidacy for Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the 116th Congress. Below is the text of the letter: Dear Colleague: I am so inspired to fight alongside you as we work to win back the majority. There is nothing more important than returning bold Democratic leadership to Congress. With that in mind, I'm excited to announce that I am seeking the position of House Democratic Caucus Chair for th… Continue Reading
Sudan and South Sudan Caucus Statement on UN Sanctions
July 13, 2018Washington, D.C. - Sudan and South Sudan Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-17), and Congressman Michael Capuano (MA-7) released the following statement on the UN's vote to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan: "We applaud the United Nations Security Council for passing this long overdue resolution imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan. This is an important first step towards addressing the human suffering and brutal conflict in South Sudan. "The … Continue Reading
Hoyer, Lee Statement on the Trump Administration's Assertion That the War on Poverty is Over
July 13, 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 to the Trump Administration's statement that the War on Poverty is "largely over and a success" in their argument for work requirements: "President Trump's Administration is flat wrong, and this statement displays its utter ignorance of the poverty challenges our coun… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Slams Trump Administration Plan to Pay for Child Detentions with Ryan White HIV/AIDS Funding
July 11, 2018Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding reports that the Trump Administration has been reallocating money from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to cover the cost of detaining immigrant children: "This is a stunning and cynical breach of public trust. Taking money away from lifesaving HIV/AIDS care to fund jailing immigrant children is completely unacceptable. "Not only am I disappointed to see the Trump Administration once again shortchange H… Continue Reading
Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs DeGette and Lee on President Trump’s Nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court
July 09, 2018Washington, DC -- Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) tonight issued this statement in reaction to President Donald J. Trump's nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court: "We are deeply concerned about how Judge Brett Kavanaugh might rule on cases involving women's health in general, privacy, and access to the full range of reproductive care services, including abortion care - a right that since 1973 has been protected under the … Continue Reading
Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity Concludes Milwaukee Pathways Out of Poverty Listening Tour
June 29, 2018WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity Chair, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), visited Milwaukee, Wisconsin as part of their Pathways Out of Poverty Listening Tour. They were joined by Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04). Earlier this month, Whip Hoyer and Rep. Lee visited Dallas, Texas on the first leg of the Listening Tour. "Today, I was proud to join Rep. Lee and Rep. Moore in Milwaukee to hear… Continue Reading
Pro-Choice Leaders Statement on Justice Anthony Kennedy Retirement
June 27, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement on the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy: "For decades, Roe v. Wade has protected women's fundamental right to control our own bodies and make our own decisions. "With Justice Kennedy's retirement, that essential freedom hangs in the balance. President Trump, Vice President Pence and Leader McConnell want to exploit this vacancy to impose … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Federal Court Decision to End Family Separation
June 27, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to the decision by Judge Dana Sabraw of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California to bar the separation of migrant children from their parents and require the reunification of families within 30 days: "Last night, our court system made it clear that President Trump's zero-tolerance policy is inhumane and unlawful. Separating and caging innocent children from their parents is … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Janus v. AFSCME Council 31
June 27, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement condemning the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31: "The Supreme Court decision today attacks the basic freedoms of working people to organize and secure a better life for their families. American workers are more productive than ever - but the excessive power of greedy corporate interests prevents families from getting ahead. "Through labor unions, working people have a collective voice fighting … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Statement on “Muslim Ban” SCOTUS Decision
June 26, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after the Supreme Court announced their decision on Trump v. Hawaii: "This is a dark day for America. The Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. Hawaii betrays our constitution and advances fear, rather than facts. This decision echoes the notorious 1944 ruling in Korematsu v. United States, which allowed the federal government to peddle xenophobia and deny families their basic human rights. Trump v. Hawaii will simi… Continue Reading
Pro-Choice Leaders: SCOTUS Decision on Crisis Centers Will Hurt Women
June 26, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), alongside House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), released the following statement after the Supreme Court Decision on National Institute of Family and Life Advocates vs. Becerra: "Today, the Supreme Court sided with anti-choice extremists over women. Its decision will directly harm women and undermine their… Continue Reading
Hoyer, Lee Statement on Trump Administration's Proposed Reorganization of Anti-Poverty Programs
June 21, 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 plan to merge the Departments of Education and Labor: "Once again, President Trump is working to pull the rug out from under working families. The plan to merge the Departments of Education and Labor is a thinly veiled attempt to cut essential program… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee’s Statement on House Republican Budget
June 20, 2018Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on the House Republicans Fiscal Year 2019 budget resolution: "The federal budget is a moral document. It shows the principles and priorities of a nation. The budget introduced by House Republicans this week clearly shows how little they value American families. "Speaker Ryan has taken every opportunity to attack the basics that families rely on - like health care, social security, affordable education and clean air and water… Continue Reading