Press Releases
Lee, Sanders, and Tlaib Partner to Combat Outrageous CEO Pay
November 13, 2019Washington, D.C. -Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) introduced the Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act, which rewrites the federal tax code to tackle the inequality crisis created by corporate America's unrestrained greed. The typical restaurant employee at McDonald's would have to work for more than 2,000 years to earn what the company's CEO Chris Kempczinski received last year. A retail worker at Gap Inc. would have to work for more than 3,000 ye… Continue Reading
Bill Introduced to Block Trump Administration’s Rule Permitting Widespread Discrimination in Health Care
November 12, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, the Put Patients First Act will be introduced by Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), following the Southern District of New York's decision to block the Trump Administration's attempt to refuse to provide lifesaving care on religious or "conscience" bases. This legislation will affirm the court's decision and further safeguard the health of all Americans. Along with the court's ruling, it is important that Congress … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Honors Veterans and Calls for Increased Access for Veterans to Medicinal Marijuana on Veterans Day
November 11, 2019Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement marking Veterans Day: "On Veterans Day, we honor the brave servicemembers who serve and sacrifice for our country. As the proud daughter of a veteran, I'm committed to working in Congress to ensure we keep our promises to our veterans and military families who have served selflessly and answered our nation's call of duty. "My father, Lieutenant Colonel Garvin Tutt, served in both World War II and the Korean War. He s… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Passing of Bernard Tyson
November 10, 2019Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement on the passing of Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard J. Tyson: "I am heartbroken upon learning of the passing of Bernard Tyson. Bernard dedicated his life to making health care more accessible for our communities. He lead Kaiser to success, and never lost sight of his dream to make health care affordable. My prayers and condolences are with his family and loved ones during this time." ###… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Court Decision Blocking Trump Administration’s Discriminatory Refusal of Care Rule
November 06, 2019Washington, D.C. - In response to a federal judge blocking the Trump Administration's dangerous rule that would allow healthcare providers the ability to refuse to provide patients standard health care services based on personal belief, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "This is a huge win for patients around the country. The Trump Administration's rule would have allowed providers to deny essential health care - including comprehensive reproductive care - based … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Denounces Trump’s Formal Withdrawal from Paris Agreement
November 05, 2019WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration's formal announcement that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement: "Trump's formal withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement is a reckless dismissal of scientifically proven threats facing the world. The climate crisis is the most severe threat ever facing mankind, and we will not stand for Trump's attempts to dismantle the progress made under … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Resolution Supporting United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to End Poverty, Reduce Inequality, and Fight Climate Change
October 24, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a House resolution supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which lays out seventeen goals that will help end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect the climate. The resolution, whose objectives were adopted by the United Nations in 2015, provides a clear pathway for countries to increase prosperity and peace for all. The resolution also provides a shared blueprint of progressive goals to reach peace and … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Passing of Chairman Elijah Cummings
October 17, 2019Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement on the passing of House Oversight Committee Chairman Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7): "My heart is heavy upon learning of the passing of my friend and colleague, Chairman Elijah Cummings. Indeed a giant has fallen. "Elijah was a great man, a magnificent leader, and a kind and gentle human being that led with both his head and his heart. He was a strong advocate for the people he served in Maryland and tir… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds the Introduction of College Affordability Act, With Scholarship Program Honoring the Late Congressman Ron Dellums
October 15, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, in response to the introduction of the College Affordability Act, a comprehensive higher education reauthorization bill that seeks to cut the cost of college, lift the burden of student loan debt, and help all students complete their degree or credential on time, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement: "I thank House Education and Labor Committee Chair Bobby Scott for his bold and progressive College Affordability Act, which includes the Ron… Continue Reading
Constituent Guide on Power Outages in East Bay
October 09, 2019In anticipation of high winds and potential fire conditions, PG&E has announced a public safety power shutoff in parts of the East Bay, including in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Leandro, beginning today, October 9. Outages may last for several days. The power will be turned off to neighborhoods in stages depending on the timing of the severe wind conditions. BART trains will be running normally. Below are several ways you can prepare: Check if your home is in the impacted area. Consider te… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins Speaker Pelosi, State and Local Officials, and Community Advocates for Press Conference Kicking Off the 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020) to be held in Oakland and San Francisco
September 30, 2019OAKLAND, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020) organizers, community leaders, state and local elected officials, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the first public media event highlighting the planning and preparation for AIDS 2020. The event focused on what to expect at AIDS 2020 and the unique and large-scale collaborative effort that took place between Oakland and San Francisco to secure the bid to host the world's largest conference on H… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Reintroduces Congressional Resolution Calling For More Sickle Cell Trait Research
September 27, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee reintroduced her bipartisan resolution calling for increased efforts for Sickle Cell Trait research and a national campaign to raise awareness about the Sickle Cell Trait, and released the following statement: "Sickle Cell Disease is our nation's most commonly inherited blood disorder and affects an estimated 100,000 Americans and disproportionately impacts communities of color. "More than three million Americans, including one in twel… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Attends the Seventy-Fourth UN General Assembly
September 24, 2019Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressional Representative of the United States to the Seventy-Fourth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, will spend the next two days in New York for a series of high-level meetings. "From climate change to peacebuilding, the global community faces unprecedented challenges. These are complex problems that require all countries - and all people - to work together to make change. Now, more than ever before, the United States must… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Stands With Students to Support Teaching Climate Change in Schools
September 19, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee stood with dozens of youth activists on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to call on Congress to support teaching climate change in schools. Congresswoman Lee plans to introduce a House Resolution that supports the teaching of climate change in the coming days. "I am introducing this resolution to urge more climate change education in American schools.," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "We need to teach every young person the human impacts of c… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Resolution in Support of Victims of Hurricane Dorian
September 19, 2019Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced House Resolution 562 - a bipartisan resolution expressing condolences and long-term support for the people of the Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. "My heart is with the people of the Bahamas who were devastated by Hurricane Dorian, and I want to thank the first responders and officials who risked their lives to help their neighbors and communities. In the days to come, we must continue to work together to ensure tha… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Appointed Democratic Congressional Representative to the United Nations
September 16, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, The White House and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the appointment of Congresswoman Barbara Lee to serve as Congressional Representative of the United States to the Seventy-Fourth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. This is the fourth 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 … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month
September 16, 2019WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, following the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement: "Every year, our nation comes together to recognize the lasting contributions of the diverse Hispanic community during Hispanic Heritage Month. "Growing up in El Paso, Texas, I learned from and gained a deep respect for the Latinx community and their heritage. "Today, I have the honor of representing California's beautiful 13th district, one of the most di… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Observes the 18 Years Since Her No Vote on Blank Check for War Authorization
September 14, 2019Washington, D.C. - In recognition of the 18 years since Congresswoman Barbara Lee was the sole "no" vote on the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) on September 14, 2001, Rep. Lee released the following statement: "I voted against the 2001 AUMF because I believed it was a blank check for endless war. Sadly, this turned out to be true. A recent report from the Congressional Research Service showed that the 2001 AUMF has been used as a justification for military force 41 times… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Welcomes the Opening of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 2019 Annual Legislative Conference
September 11, 2019WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement ahead of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 2019 Annual Legislative Conference where she will serve as an honorary co-host for four panel discussions and receive several awards, including the 2019 Phoenix Co-Chair Award: "This year's Annual Legislative Conference takes on special meaning as we mark the 400th anniversary of enslaved Africans arriving on our shores. I'm excited to gather with my colle… Continue Reading
Hoyer, Lee Statement on 2018 Census Bureau Report
September 10, 2019WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), Chair of the Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, released the following statement in response to today's report by the U.S. Census Bureau: "Today's report by the U.S. Census Bureau makes one thing abundantly clear: anti-poverty programs work. While we are pleased the report shows that the poverty rate has fallen slightly to 11.8 percent, with 1.4 million Americans rising above the p… Continue Reading