Congresswoman Barbara Lee leads HDP CODEL to Barbados, Chairs Regional Summit on Good Governance
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Democracy Partnership (HDP) Members Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) issued the following statement after leading a congressional delegation visit to Barbados.
“Last week, Representative Robin Kelly and I traveled to Barbados where we sought to strengthen and renew our commitment to supporting our longtime friends and allies in the Eastern Caribbean,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “For too long the United States has not focused enough attention on this sub-region so close to our own shores. In the current global environment, we must seek to secure greater economic, cultural, and political ties while also reaffirming our strong representative institutions with the diverse countries of the Eastern Caribbean who share our democratic values.”
Nearly 20 Members of Parliament from the seven countries in the sub-region: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, actively participated in an all-day Summit that focused on sharing best practices and challenges related to three themes:
- Strengthening the Legislative Oversight Role and Capacity of Legislatures in the Eastern Caribbean
- Budget, Appropriations, and Access to Financing in the Eastern Caribbean
- Legislative Solutions to Addressing Electoral and Campaign Finance Reform
In addition, the CODEL spoke with residents of Bridgetown during a constituency visit, met with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and senior Ministers of the Barbadian government, and participated in a Women in Politics Leadership Institute roundtable that brought together nearly 40 women from across the Eastern Caribbean to discuss the challenges women face in entering and succeeding in politics and leadership roles.
About the House Democracy Partnership
The House Democracy Partnership (HDP) is a bipartisan, twenty-member commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with parliaments around the world to support the development of effective, independent, and responsive legislative institutions. Established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2005, HDP uses peer-to-peer exchange programs, training seminars for members and staff, and targeted material assistance to build capacity in key areas such as legislative oversight, budget analysis, committee operations, constituent relations, and library and research services.
Its singular focus on the legislative branch of government and its unique ability to bring together American legislators and their peers from around the world have made the commission a valuable forum for strengthening democratic institutions and deepening bilateral relations. The Partnership is assisted by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and its implementing partners, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She serves as Co-Chair of the Steering & Policy Committee, former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force, and Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus. She also serves as Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. As a member of the House Democratic Leadership, she is the highest ranking Black woman in the U.S. Congress.