Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Condemns Extreme SCOTUS Ruling Criminalizing Homelessness
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement condemning the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. “With today’s shameful decision, this extremist conservative court is charting a dangerous path for a quarter million Americans who are vulnerable and facing housing insecurity. Let's be clear: fining, ticketing and even jailing people for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to go is cruel and unusual … Continue Reading
June 27, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Pro-Choice Caucus Joins Democratic Women’s Caucus and Democratic Leadership in Marking Two Years since Supreme Court Dobbs Decision
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), co chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, was joined by Pro Choice Caucus co-chair Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) and House Democratic Leadership to mark two years since the disastrous Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. You can find her full remarks transcribed below. To watch the full press conference, click here. Congresswoman Lee: Well good morning everyone. Let me first thank Leader … Continue Reading
June 25, 2024
Rep. Lee Applauds Issuance of Surgeon General Advisory on the Public Health Crisis of Firearm Violence in the United States
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today applauded United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy for releasing a landmark Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence, declaring firearm violence in America a public health crisis. In 2024, Congresswoman Lee led dozens of her colleagues in writing a bicameral letter to HHS urging Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to publish such a report to help fill gaps in gun violence research and identify areas where data remains … Continue Reading
June 19, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates 159th Observance of Juneteenth
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the below statement celebrating the 159th Observance of Juneteenth. "On June 19th, 1865, news of the end of slavery finally reached Galveston, Texas more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth has always carried a deep personal significance for me, as my great-grandmother and many of my ancestors were born during slavery in Galveston. Each year, this day represents a time for reflection for … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024
Reps. Lee, Davis, Burgess Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan World Sickle Cell Awareness Day Resolution
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Danny Davis (IL-12) and Michael Burgess (TX-26) introduced a resolution to designate June 19th, 2024, as "World Sickle Cell Awareness Day" to increase public awareness about sickle cell disease and the continued need for research, early detection and effective treatments that lead to a cure. U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the Senate companion bill. Sickle cell … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Rep. Lee Leads Amendment to Audit the Pentagon in FY25 NDAA
Washington, D.C. - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Eli Crane (AZ-02), and Andy Biggs (AZ-05) today led an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 requiring the Pentagon to perform an annual independent audit or risk a reduction in the discretionary budget authority available for the Department of Defense by .5 percent. "I’m pleased that my bipartisan amendment to hold the Pentagon accountable for their rampant waste, fraud, and … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Congresswoman Lee Statement on FY25 Defense Authorization Bill
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement upon passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the House of Representatives. "Once again, this extremist Republican majority has forced through a defense bill that ignores the needs of the American people and our allies while continuing to enable rampant waste, fraud, and abuse at the Pentagon. At … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Congresswoman Lee Statement on FY25 Defense Authorization Bill
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement upon passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the House of Representatives. "Once again, this extremist Republican majority has forced through a defense bill that ignores the needs of the American people and our allies while continuing to enable rampant waste, fraud, and abuse at the Pentagon. At … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Shameless Senate Republican Blockade of Biden Administration Appointments
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Congressional Representative to the United Nations, released the following statement on reports of Senate Republicans blocking critical Biden administration nominees as political retribution on behalf of Donald Trump. “I remain undeterred in my duty as Democratic Congressional Representative to the UN General Assembly. This is just the latest example of extremist Republicans … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Reps. Lee, Frankel, Meng Introduce Resolution Reaffirming U.S. Commitment to International Reproductive Health and Rights
Washington, DC - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Lois Frankel (FL-22), and Grace Meng (NY-06) introduced a resolution to reaffirm the goals of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, Egypt, advancing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights. The resolution commends the notable progress made in achieving the goals set in 1994 at the ICPD and subsequent conferences, recognizes that sexual and reproductive health and … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Congresswoman Lee Reacts to SCOTUS Decision to Preserve Mifepristone Access
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, released the following statement on the SCOTUS decision handed down today in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (AHM) v. FDA. “This baseless case was brought by anti-abortion extremists who will try any tactic to attack reproductive rights and freedoms. Mifepristone is extremely safe and effective: the FDA approved its use in 2000, and it has been used by over 5 million people since to safely end their … Continue Reading
June 12, 2024
Ranking Member Lee Opposes Republican State, Foreign Operations Funding Bill that Abdicates United States Leadership, Weakens National Security
WASHINGTON — Today, House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Ranking Member Barbara Lee (CA-12) opposed Republicans’ extreme 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill. Congresswoman Lee’s full remarks as prepared for delivery can be found here. House Democrats were united in their opposition to the legislation that proposes a 12 percent cut below 2024 to the bill’s overall funding level. “This partisan bill panders to the most extreme voices, … Continue Reading
June 08, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Release of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Commemorative Quarter
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement celebrating the United States Mint beginning shipments of the American Women Quarter honoring Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was the first female United States Army surgeon, and the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor. “As the Congressional sponsor of the bill establishing the American Women Quarters program years ago, I am proud to see yet another brilliant yet underrecognized … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on 80th Anniversary of D-Day
Washington, D.C. - Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. “80 years ago, one of the largest invasions in historical warfare—and the start to the end of World War II—took place. Today, we look back to the over 2,400 American lives lost on the beaches of Normandy, remember their stories, and honor their immense bravery. “My father, Lt. Col. Garvin A. Tutt, was a Buffalo soldier in the 92nd infantry, a racially segregated and … Continue Reading
June 05, 2024
Ranking Member Lee Condemns GOP State and Foreign Operations Bill Text, Extreme Cuts to Diplomacy and Development
Washington, D.C. - Representative Barbara Lee, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, and Representative Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, reacted to the drastic budget cuts House Appropriations Committee Republicans released in the draft fiscal year 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill, which was considered in subcommittee Tuesday. The Congresswoman’s opening remarks can be viewed HERE. House Republicans … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Rep. Lee, Colleagues File Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Right to Contraception Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after filing a discharge petition for the Right to Contraception Act—a bill to protect access to contraception in federal law. The petition was led by Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Congresswoman Kathy Manning (D-NC), and Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL). Representatives Lee and DeGette serve as Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus. "As Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I am proud to … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released a statement in celebration of National Caribbean American Heritage Month: "This Caribbean American Heritage Month, we celebrate the immense cultural, economic and civic contributions of the Caribbean American community. The Caribbean spirit has enriched the fabric of America's diversity. Caribbean American trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm, Colin Powell and Harry Belafonte enrich our culture and enhance our democracy. This … Continue Reading
May 30, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Trump Guilty Verdict
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement after former president Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. “Donald Trump is now a convicted felon. I commend the brave public servants that worked to perform their civic duty under extraordinary circumstances. Even a former president must be brought to … Continue Reading
May 23, 2024
Poverty Task Force Chair Barbara Lee Blasts GOP Attack on SNAP Funding
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of the Poverty Task Force and senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Programs, issued the following statement underscoring the dangerous impacts of the Republican conference's proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). "Our country has a hunger problem. According to the USDA, there are more that 44 million people, including 13 million … Continue Reading
May 22, 2024
Ranking Member Lee Gives Opening Remarks Condemning Proposed GOP Cuts to Diplomacy, Development at FY25 SFOPS Hearing with Sec. Blinken
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS), delivered the following remarks at today’s hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the Department of State with Secretary Antony Blinken. The full hearing can be viewed here. —As Prepared for Delivery— “Thank you, Mister Chairman. Secretary Blinken, I appreciate you taking the time to be with us this morning. I don’t … Continue Reading