Press Releases
Lee, Schakowsky, Booker, DeGette, Pressley, Torres (CA), Strickland Reintroduce the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker were joined by U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Diana DeGette, Ayanna Pressley, Norma Torres, and Marilyn Strickland in reintroducing their legislation, the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act. In addition to the co-leads, the bill has 142 original cosponsors in the House. The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act would repeal the 1973 Helms Amendment to the … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Lee, Grijalva, Booker, Duckworth Introduce the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, on World Water Day, U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reintroduced the newly renamed A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act at a bicameral press conference, joined by House Natural Resources Committee Vice Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) and a range of grassroots groups, youth advocates, and environmental justice … Continue Reading
March 19, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Statement on 20th Anniversary of Iraq War
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, issued the following statement marking the 20th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, which was launched March 2003. “Twenty years ago today, the United States invaded Iraq. This reckless and unsubstantiated war cost hundreds of thousands of lives and trillions of dollars — $2.9 trillion to be exact. “Today, we remember all those lost as a … Continue Reading
March 13, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on Silicon Valley Bank Collapse
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank: “The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank clearly illustrates the long-term damage done by the Trump-era rollback of the federal oversight and intervention established by Dodd-Frank. In 2018, Wall Street pushed a deregulation bill that allowed banks like SVB to take reckless risks, potentially hurting regular people - which is exactly what we’ve seen in recent days. I strongly opposed that … Continue Reading
March 10, 2023
Reps. Lee, Adams Introduce Improving Access to Nutrition Act
Washington, DC - Reps. Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Alma Adams (NC-12) reintroduced the Improving Access to Nutrition Act, which seeks to lift the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) three-month limit and ensure that all Americans have access to nutritious food and the ability to stay healthy in everyday life. The Improving Access to Nutrition Act would be monumental in feeding millions of Americans across the United States already using SNAP. Passing this legislation would help … Continue Reading
March 10, 2023
Representatives Lee, Brown, and Evans Join with Senators Casey and Gillibrand to Introduce Legislation that Increases Access to Affordable, Healthy Food
Washington D.C. - Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12), senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, was joined by Representatives Shontel Brown (OH-11), Dwight Evans (PA-03) and Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) in introducing legislation to increase access to affordable, healthy food options in traditionally underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities. The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Reauthorization Act … Continue Reading
March 09, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on President Biden’s FY24 Budget Request
Washington, DC - Rep. Barbara Lee issued the below statement on President Biden's Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget request submitted to Congress on Thursday, March 9, 2023. "In the first half of his presidency, President Biden delivered for the American people-and the bold budget framework he put forth today will continue building upon that progress. "This is a budget that builds on the economic gains of the last two years, lowering costs and investing in America while reducing the federal … Continue Reading
March 09, 2023
Ranking Member Lee Statement on President Biden FY24 State and Foreign Operations Budget
WASHINGTON, DC - House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Ranking Member Rep. Barbara Lee issued the below statement on President Biden’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget request. For the Congresswoman’s comprehensive statement on the budget, click here. “As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, I am pleased that the President’s FY24 budget request supports the use of the vital tools of diplomacy and development. With … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Applauds Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passage of AUMF Repeal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today applauded the passage of Senate bill S.316 - legislation to repeal the 2002 and 1991 authorizations for the use of military force (AUMF) - out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a vote of 13-8. “I’ve been working toward this moment for twenty years,” said Rep. Lee. “We’ve built a diverse, bipartisan coalition in the House with H.R. 932 to finally get this done and repeal the 2002 AUMF. It’s time we finally ended our forever … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Reps. Lee, Frankel, Kamlager-Dove Celebrate International Women’s Day with Introduction of Feminist Foreign Policy Resolution
Washington, DC - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, Lois Frankel (FL-22), Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) were joined by 41 Members to introduce a resolution calling for the United States to adopt a feminist foreign policy. This resolution calls for gender equality to be a core consideration of foreign policy decision making, including on issues … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Statement on International Women’s Day
Washington, DC - Rep. Barbara Lee issued the following statement in recognition of International Women's Day. "On International Women's Day, we reflect and honor the extraordinary contributions women in the United States and across the globe have made in the fight for equality, freedom, and justice. But while we celebrate these remarkable women, we must also acknowledge the barriers preventing women from taking their full place in our societies. "This year marks the first International … Continue Reading
March 07, 2023
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Call on Biden Administration to Support Strong Funding Levels for Reproductive Health in FY 2024 Budget
Washington, DC - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus leaders today sent a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young requesting the administration support strong funding levels for domestic and international family planning and reproductive health programs in the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget request. The letter is signed by Pro-Choice Caucus (PCC) Chairs Reps. Barbara Lee and Diana DeGette and PCC leadership members Reps. Norma Torres, Lizzie … Continue Reading
March 07, 2023
Reps. Lee, Moore Introduce Resolution Recognizing “School Social Work Week”
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Chair of the Congressional Social Work Caucus, and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) today reintroduced a resolution recognizing "School Social Work Week." "School social workers are important mental health professionals who serve as a bridge between students and communities," said Rep. Lee. "I am proud to join my colleague Congresswoman Gwen Moore in introducing this resolution to thank and honor the heroic men and women who help our students … Continue Reading
March 03, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Over $250 Million in Funding for Innovative Projects That Tackle Climate Pollution
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) celebrated $250 million in funding from the Biden-Harris Administration to develop innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies. These planning grants, through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are the first tranche of funding going to states, local governments, Tribes, and territories from the $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program created by President Biden’s Inflation … Continue Reading
March 01, 2023
CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement in recognition of the start of Women's History Month: "Women's History Month is an opportunity to honor the powerful women whose shoulders we stand on today. Without women like Ida B. Wells, Ruby Bridges, or Shirley Chisholm, I would not have the opportunity to serve my community in Congress as I do today. Throughout history, women have fought adversity, inequality, and sexism to move America closer to realizing its … Continue Reading
March 01, 2023
Rep. Lee, Sen. Menendez Lead Growing Coalition of Lawmakers in Reintroducing Gun Safety Legislation to Require Preservation and Disclosure of Federal Gun Records
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.-12) and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today led a growing bicameral coalition of lawmakers in both chambers of Congress in reintroducing legislation to enhance the ability of local law enforcement to investigate and solve gun crimes, crack down on gun trafficking and negligent gun dealers, and allow researchers to finally study gun violence and its impact on communities across the nation. The Gun Records Restoration and Preservation … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Congratulates Deputy Secretary Julie Su on her Nomination to Serve as Secretary of Labor
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today congratulated Deputy Secretary of Labor and former California Labor Secretary Julie Su on her nomination to serve as the Secretary of Labor: "I congratulate Deputy Secretary Julie Su on her well-deserved nomination to serve as the 30th Secretary of Labor, a nomination that will make her the first Asian American to join the Biden Administration's cabinet at the secretary level. As California's Labor Secretary, Su championed worker's rights and has … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Lee, Thompson, Booker Reintroduce Bill to Remove Confederate Statues From Capitol
Washington D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-02), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced their bicameral bill to remove Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol. The Confederate Monument Removal Act, originally introduced by Congresswoman Lee after the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville in 2017, would remove all statues of people who voluntarily served for the Confederate States of America from the National Statuary Hall Collection … Continue Reading
February 27, 2023
Reps. Lee, Torres, Pocan Introduce Resolution to Celebrate Black LGBTQI+ Leaders
Washington D.C. - Congressional Equality Caucus Vice Chair and Founding Member Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12), Co-Chair Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Chair Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-2) introduced a resolution celebrating the remarkable and unique contributions of Black LGBTQI+ individuals. The bill has 32 cosponsors in the 118th Congress including co-leads. Black LGBTQI+ individuals have made countless important contributions to American culture and society. This resolution seeks to identify, … Continue Reading
February 24, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Secretary Xavier Becerra Hold Roundtable on Food as Medicine, IRA Health Wins in Alameda
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra hosted a roundtable discussion on ways food can serve as medicine on Friday afternoon in Alameda, California. This discussion recognized the successes of the Alameda County Recipe4Health program and strategized ways to prevent and address chronic disease through the implementation of a similar food as medicine program at the national level. The roundtable, which was held at the Wilma … Continue Reading