Press Releases
On World AIDS Day, Congresswoman Lee Calls for Bipartisan Reauthorization of PEPFAR
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, released the below statement on World AIDS Day, observed on December 1st of each year. “World AIDS Day is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible progress we have made toward becoming an AIDS-free generation, saving 25 million lives through transformative programs like PEPFAR. However, this year is different from years past, as we face a stalemate in Congress to reauthorize this critical … Continue Reading
November 30, 2023
Lee, Pelosi, Huffman Announce Bay Area Ferry Service to Receive $22 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Congressman Jared Huffman announced that the San Francisco Bay Area is set to receive nearly $22 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation under President Joe Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This federal funding, which Congresswoman Lee, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, and Congressman Huffman advocated for, will help modernize the Bay Area’s ferry system by accelerating the San … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023
Representatives Lee, Castro, Jayapal and Senators Booker, Durbin and Hirono Urge Biden Administration to Expand Health Coverage to DACA Recipients
Washington, DC - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) joined with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) to call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to finalize their proposed rule to expand health coverage for those participating in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, crime victims, and immigrant children. In April 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services … Continue Reading
November 14, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Issues Statement on Continuing Resolution House Passage
“While I’m pleased we averted yet another government shutdown crisis, it is deeply unsettling that Democrats, yet again, have been forced to save the country from Republican dysfunction. From the Speaker drama to consistent infighting, GOP governance has been painstakingly difficult. I voted for this legislation to keep our government open and protect my constituents from undue suffering because of GOP incompetence, but it is imperative that we continue engaging in negotiations for a … Continue Reading
November 10, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Statement Honoring Veterans Day
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement commemorating Veterans Day. "This Veterans Day, let us recognize the courageous servicemembers and their families who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation. "I am the proud daughter of a former servicemember, Lt. Col. Garvin Tutt. My father fought in two wars, even while facing discrimination as an African American in the military. Despite experiencing racism both at home and abroad, my father … Continue Reading
November 02, 2023
Lee, Whitehouse, Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Legislation to Increase Worker Pay, Rein in Runaway CEO Compensation
CEOs made 308 times what the average worker earned last year Washington, DC - As executive pay soars, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced the Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act, which would apply an excise tax on public and private companies that have at least a 50 to one CEO-to-median-worker pay disparity. In 2022, the CEO Act would have raised over $10.1 billion from the top 100 US … Continue Reading
November 02, 2023
Reps. Lee, Grijalva, Crockett, and DeSaulnier Introduce SMOKE Act to Protect Workers from Harmful Exposure to Wildfire Smoke
Washington, DC - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) , and Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) today introduced the Smoke Mitigation and Occupational Key Enhancements (SMOKE) Act. This legislation ensures that vulnerable workers aren’t forced to choose between their health or their livelihoods during an air quality crisis. The SMOKE Act requires the Secretary of Labor to issue a new standard on protection from “adverse air” - an Air Quality Index (AQI) … Continue Reading
November 02, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Votes Against Partisan Republican Security Supplemental
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released a statement following her vote against House Republican’s security supplemental bill: “As I’ve stated before, I firmly support Israel’s right to defend itself. The fight against terror requires deliberate action and clear objectives under international law to avoid unnecessary loss of life and spreading the conflict further throughout the region. “My position remains that we must call for a ceasefire in Gaza because it is the … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Tentative Agreement In Laguna Hills Hotel Labor Dispute
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today celebrated a tentative agreement reached by UNITE HERE Local 11, a labor union representing hotel workers in Southern California, who have been striking on and off for nearly four months. The contract will — once ratified — raise wages, strengthen pensions and increase investments in healthcare at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California. The hotel in Dana Point, which is owned by the University of … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Resources for Students
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today reintroduced the Student Support Act to ensure all students have access to the mental health services and support they require to thrive academically and personally. The proposed legislation represents a pivotal step in addressing the growing mental health crisis among students. Recognizing the significant challenges students face today, the act aims to break down barriers to access and would provide $100 million in grants to states … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Election of MAGA Extremist Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the below statement on the election of Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04) to Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. “After over three weeks of infighting, the GOP showed their true colors today by surrendering to the extreme factions of their party and elevating an election denier to one of the most powerful positions in government. “Let’s be clear: I will work with anyone to get critical protections for working people passed. … Continue Reading
October 24, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds New Federal Funding for California Environmental Justice Initiatives
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the below statement applauding the EPA’s announcement of new federal funding for environmental justice projects across the nation, including in California and the East Bay. The West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project will receive $500,000 as part of the EPA’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement (EJCPS). The California Department of Public Health will receive $1,000,000 as part of the EPA’s … Continue Reading
October 23, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates 2025 American Women Quarters Honorees
WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Mint announced the following 2023 honorees for the American Women Quarters program, made possible by Congresswoman Lee’s Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020: Ida B. Wells - investigative journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist Juliette Gordon Low - founder of the Girl Scouts organization Dr. Vera Rubin - astronomer who pioneered work on galaxy rotation Stacey Park Milbern - activist for people with disabilities Althea Gibson - … Continue Reading
October 20, 2023
McGovern, Meeks, Lee and Castro Welcome Progress on Restoring Democracy and Human Rights in Venezuela
Washington, DC - Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement … Continue Reading
October 17, 2023
Lee, Jayapal, Casar, McGovern, Castro, Escobar, García Release Statement Calling for Ceasefire
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04) are releasing the following statement calling for an immediate ceasefire, or at minimum, a temporary cessation of all hostilities in Israel and Gaza to save civilian lives: “We remain outraged by the horrific terror attacks carried out by Hamas against Israeli civilians. We are also … Continue Reading
October 03, 2023
Reps. Lee, Trone, Sen. Markey Recognize National Recovery Month by Introducing Legislation to Make Substance Use Disorder Care Accessible for Parents, Prevent Undue Separation of Families
WASHINGTON, DC - During National Recovery Month, Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12) and David Trone (MD-06) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the Substance Use Disorder and Family Engagement (SAFE) in Recovery Act to make care accessible for parents living with substance use disorder (SUD) and prevent undue family separation. In addition, the SAFE in Recovery Act would ensure that the best medical practices are made available and support comprehensive wraparound services for … Continue Reading
October 02, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Senator Ed Markey, Colleagues Urge Biden-Harris Administration to Enact Comprehensive Fentanyl Harm Reduction Strategy
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) today led 18 of their colleagues in urging the Biden-Harris administration to develop and publicly announce a national fentanyl harm reduction strategy specifically focused on enhancing public health infrastructure and addressing the collateral consequences that stem from drug arrests and convictions. The lawmakers emphasized that this strategy should support increased availability of local overdose prevention … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the below statement on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein. “California lost a trailblazer for women and a political giant today. During half a century of public service, Senator Feinstein broke glass ceilings for women and fought fearlessly for a safer, stronger, more just nation. My deepest condolences go out to her family and loved ones. “Senator Feinstein was a friend and mentor. She was a fearless trailblazer with an iron … Continue Reading
September 28, 2023
Ranking Member Lee Floor Remarks in Opposition to the 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Funding Bill
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in opposition to H.R. 4665, the fiscal year 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill: - As Prepared For Delivery - Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose HR 4665. This bill would impose devastating cuts on programs meant to keep both America and the world safe. This Republican bill would slash the allocation for … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Lee, Nadler, Blumenauer, Jackson Lee and Velázquez Reintroduce Comprehensive Marijuana Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), along with House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) reintroduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act (HR 5601), one of the most comprehensive marijuana reform bills ever introduced in the U.S. Congress. Following efforts led by states across the nation, the … Continue Reading