Press Releases
Congresswoman Lee Calls for Renewed Investment in the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities
For Immediate Release Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Congressional TriCaucus Members Call for a Renewed Investment in the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities Washington, D.C.- Today, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released the results of a study entitled, "Race, Ethnicity and NIH Research Awards." The study found that despite its current programs to increase the racial and ethnic diversity among its intramural and extramural biomedical … Continue Reading
August 11, 2011
The National Park Service Awards Grant to the Oakland Museum of California
For Immediate Release Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement today announcing that the National Park Service has awarded a grant totaling $77,842 to the Oakland Museum of California, an institution which brings together collections of art, history and natural science under one roof to tell the extraordinary stories of California and its people: "I am pleased that the NPS recognized the excellent … Continue Reading
August 06, 2011
Barbara Lee Statement on Loss of American Forces in Afghanistan
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement today on the loss of American forces in Afghanistan: "The loss of our American forces today is indeed tragic. My heart and prayers go out to their families and loved ones. "Especially as the daughter of a veteran, I believe we must always be mindful and grateful of the tremendous service and sacrifice of our troops and … Continue Reading
August 06, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Downgrade of U.S. Credit Rating
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today in response to Standard & Poor's downgrade of the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+: "The decision to downgrade our debt is not grounded in economic reality. It is, however, an important indicator of how dangerous the political reality has become in Congress where the Tea Party held our economy hostage in the … Continue Reading
August 05, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to July Jobs Report
For Immediate Release August 5, 2011 Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today in response to the Department of Labor's monthly job report stating that the national unemployment rate had a slight decrease to 9.1 percent in the month of July: "While I am pleased to see any decrease in the national unemployment rate, there are still 13.9 million people without jobs and 6.2 … Continue Reading
August 04, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Agreement to Reopen the FAA
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) today issued the following statement on the compromise agreement to temporarily reauthorize the FAA: "While I am pleased that the Democratic leadership took the high road to resolve the impasse and send 74,000 transportation and construction workers back to work, I am deeply concerned with the extremist tactics of the Republicans and their willingness … Continue Reading
August 04, 2011
Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Prevent Spread of STIs and HIV in Prisons
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced H.R. 2704, The Justice for the Unprotected against Sexually Transmitted Infections among the Confined and Exposed (JUSTICE) Act to allow prisons to provide condoms to incarcerated peoples. The JUSTICE Act also calls for automatic reinstatement or reenrollment in Medicaid for people who test positive for HIV before reentering communities. … Continue Reading
August 03, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges Members in the House and Senate to End Shutdown of the FAA
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) today urged members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to take whatever action is necessary to end the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), even if it means calling a special session that would allow the House and Senate to vote on legislation that would permit furloughed FAA employees to return to work. … Continue Reading
August 02, 2011
Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Bring Troops Home from Iraq On Time
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C - Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and 7 Members of Congress introduced H.R. 2757, The Iraq Withdrawal Accountability Act of 2011, to prohibit funding for any extension of the December 31, 2011 deadline to remove all U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement: "We cannot allow or afford any extension of the December 31st deadline established by … Continue Reading
August 01, 2011
Barbara Lee Welcomes Department of Health and Human Services Guidelines to Expand Women's Preventive Services
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the Department of Health and Human Services release of guidelines that expand women's preventive health services: "I applaud today's announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services to expand prevention services for women, including a full range of FDA-approved contraceptive methods and … Continue Reading
August 01, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Opposes Debt Ceiling Deal
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in opposition to the debt ceiling deal released on Sunday night: "Of course, I don't want to see our nation default, but after having reviewed this deal in detail, for a number of reasons, I am simply unable to support it. "First, it totally fails to address the urgent and most pressing crisis in the country: the lack of jobs and … Continue Reading
July 30, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes in Favor of Senator Reid's Plan
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 2693, Senator Reid's Budget Control Act of 2011: "By unnecessarily and wrongfully linking the raising of our debt ceiling with their extreme Tea Party agenda, the Republicans have brought our country to the brink of default. Their willingness to play politics with our economy is … Continue Reading
July 29, 2011
Barbara Lee Votes No on "Boehner Plan"
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Barbara Lee Votes No on "Boehner Plan" Washington, D.C - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined 178 Democrats and 22 Republicans in opposing Speaker John Boehner's plan to raise the debt ceiling while cutting $1.6 trillion in spending and calling for an additional debt ceiling vote in six months. The "Boehner Plan" passed the House of Representatives by a narrow margin of 218-210. … Continue Reading
July 28, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Supports President Invoking 14th Amendment if Necessary
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) spoke out against the House GOP's "Boehner Plan" and encouraged a vote on clean debt-ceiling legislation. Congresswoman Lee also endorsed the President using his executive power and invoking the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling if necessary. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement: "Instead of working to improve the lives of the … Continue Reading
July 27, 2011
Barbara Lee, 92 Members of Congress Call for Return of U.S. Troops and Military Contractors from Iraq by December 31, 2011
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after sending a letter to President Barack Obama, along with 88 Democrats and 4 Republicans calling for compliance with the Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq and a full withdrawal by December 31, 2011: "I am pleased that so many of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle joined me in sending a clear … Continue Reading
July 27, 2011
The National Endowment for the Humanities Awards Grants Supporting Educational Projects in the 9th Congressional District
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today announcing that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded three grants totaling $273,302 to support projects in the 9thCongressional District that exemplify extraordinary standards in educational research: "These grants are extremely competitive and are awarded to groups that are engaged in … Continue Reading
July 27, 2011
Barbara Lee, Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus Hold Press Conference on Impact of Cuts to Vital Human Needs Programs
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Founding Co-Chair of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus (COPC), members of the COPC, and representatives from national anti-poverty organizations held a press conference on the impact of debt reduction plans on vital human needs programs for low income and poor communities. Congresswoman Lee highlighted the importance of preserving safety net programs, discussed … Continue Reading
July 26, 2011
Barbara Lee Responds to Rise in Wealth Gap Among Whites, African Americans and Latinos
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the Pew Research Center Report entitled 'Wealth Gaps Rise to Record Highs Between Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics: Twenty-to-One' released today: "The Pew Research Center's report shows the drastic impact that the economic downturn has had on minority communities, pushing the wealth gap to record high … Continue Reading
July 25, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Oslo Bombing in Norway
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the Oslo bombing in Norway that left dozens of people dead on Friday, July 22, 2011: "I join my colleagues and people of our nation in condemning the heinous acts of violence in Norway. My thoughts and prayers remain with the people of Norway, and especially the family and loved ones of the victims in the wake of … Continue Reading
July 25, 2011
Barbara Lee Fights to Preserve Environmental Quality, Opposes FY12 Interior Appropriations Bill
For Immediate Release Contact Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined her colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition to speak out against the FY 2012 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, H.R. 2485,and stall its consideration on the House Floor. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement: "H.R. 2485 destroys … Continue Reading