Press Releases
Lee Issues Statement on Shooting Involving Congresswoman Giffords
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Oakland - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement today upon hearing news that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was among several people shot at an event in Tucson, AZ this morning: "It is with the profound sadness that I have received word of the attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her constituents. "This is an unspeakable and reprehensible act of violence that should be … Continue Reading
January 07, 2011
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Southern Sudan Referendum
For immediate Release January 7, 2010 Contact: Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Southern Sudan Referendum Washington, DC - Today ahead of the January 9, 2011 referendum on self-determination for Southern Sudan, Congresswoman Lee released the following statement: "As the voting process gets underway this weekend in Sudan, I call on all parties to work together to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and legitimate election process that … Continue Reading
January 06, 2011
Congresswoman Lee: More Troops Not the Answer in Afghanistan
Contact: Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to reports that an additional 1,400 U.S. troops will be deployed to Afghanistan in the coming weeks, with as many as 3,000 total troops being considered for added deployment: "I categorically oppose a further escalation of the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan. "In 2001, I placed the lone vote against the 2001 Authorization for the Use of … Continue Reading
January 05, 2011
Lee to Pass CBC Gavel to Cleaver during Swearing –In Ceremony
For Immediate Release January 5, 2011 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), outgoing Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will pass the leadership gavel to her friend and colleague Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) as he assumes the CBC Chairmanship during their ceremonial Swearing-In event. In addition to Congressman Cleaver II, Congresswoman Donna Christensen (D-VI) will serve as the First Vice Chair, … Continue Reading
December 22, 2010
Barbara Lee Statement on Passage of New START Treaty
For Immediate Release December 22, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Senate's ratification of the nuclear arms control agreement known as the New START Treaty: "I applaud President Obama for his diligence in negotiating this agreement, and my congressional colleagues in the Senate for their support of the New Start Treaty. "The New START Treaty lays … Continue Reading
December 18, 2010
Barbara Lee Statement on Senate Vote to Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell
For Immediate Release December 18, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released this statement on the Senate vote to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a controversial policy barring openly gay men and lesbians from serving in the military. The House passed this legislation on December 15th, the second time this year the House passed repeal. With the Senate's vote, the bill will go to the President … Continue Reading
December 18, 2010
Barbara Lee Statement on Senate Failure to Pass the DREAM Act
For Immediate Release December 18, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released this statement following the defeat of the DREAM Act by Senate Republicans. This legislation would have offered a path to legalization to immigrant minors who were brought to our country by their undocumented parents. DREAM Act applicants would have obtained conditional status only if they met certain requirements, such as … Continue Reading
December 18, 2010
Barbara Lee Disappointed in Senate Republicans Blocking of Omnibus Appropriations Package
For Immediate Release December 18, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) commented Senate Republicans efforts to block the passage of the FY11 Omnibus Appropriations package. "By blocking the FY11 Omnibus Appropriations bill the Senate Republicans sent forth the message that the American people are not worth investing in," said Congresswoman Lee. "What some would call pork I call a vital investment … Continue Reading
December 17, 2010
Barbara Lee Opposes Tax Cut Package
For Immediate Release December 17, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Tonight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), voted in opposition to the Senate Tax Cut Package. The measure passed by a vote of 277-148. She released this statement. "Today we are voting on a tax package that gives away $139 billion in tax breaks to the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans over the next two years, in exchange for $57 billion in unemployment compensation benefits for … Continue Reading
December 15, 2010
Barbara Lee Hails House Passage of Bill to End of Don't Ask Don't Tell
For Immediate Release December 15, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined a majority of her House colleagues in voting to repeal "don't ask, don't tell," a controversial policy barring openly gay men and lesbians from serving in the military. As Vice Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and an original co-sponsor of legislation to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" this is the … Continue Reading
December 13, 2010
Barbara Lee Attends Signing of Child Nutrition Bill
For Immediate Release December 13, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), joined President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and a number of her colleagues for the signing of The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act at the White House. She released this statement: "Today's signing of the child nutrition bill is a positive step in the right direction for our children. I particularly want to applaud our First Lady … Continue Reading
December 08, 2010
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hails the House Passage of the DREAM Act
For Immediate Release December 8, 2010 Contact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370 Washington D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) joined the majority of her colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in voting in support of the DREAM Act - bipartisan legislation that gives students who already reside in the United States and have grown up in the United States a chance to contribute to our country's well-being by pursuing a higher education or serving in the Armed … Continue Reading
December 03, 2010
Congresswoman Lee Responds to Senator Graham's Endorsement of Permanent U.S. Bases in Afghanistan
For Immediate Release December 3, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement in response to comments made by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham advocating for a permanent U.S. military presence in Afghanistan: "I am appalled by Senator Graham's comments supporting the indefinite presence of U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan. "Both the House and Senate have passed, and President Obama has signed … Continue Reading
December 03, 2010
U.C. Berkeley to Receive Grant for Initiative to Reduce Cancer Disparities
For Immediate Release December 2, 2010 Contact: Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will award the University of California at Berkeley a five-year grant as part of the Community Networks Program (CNP) National and Regional Centers for Reducing Cancer Disparities initiative. The new CNP Center, which received $788,830 in funding for the first year, is part of a $100 million … Continue Reading
December 02, 2010
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls for the Passage of the DREAM Act
For Immediate Release December 2, 2010 Contact: Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) - a member of the House immigration whip team - on Thursday called for the immediate passage of the DREAM Act before the adjournment of the 111th U.S. Congress. Below are excerpts of Congresswoman's Lee statement that was read during a rally held by local leaders at Oakland City Hall in support of the DREAM Act: "Today, I join Assemblyman Sandré … Continue Reading
December 01, 2010
Barbara Lee Calls for Change of Course in Afghanistan One Year after Troop Surge Announcement
For Immediate Release December 1, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) released the following statement regarding the one year anniversary of President Obama's December 1, 2009 decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to war in Afghanistan. "One year ago, President Obama announced to the nation his plans to further entrench the United States into the military quagmire in Afghanistan by sending an … Continue Reading
December 01, 2010
Barbara Lee Launches New Website
For Immediate Release December 1, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams 202-225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced the launch of her redesigned website. "I am extremely pleased to announce the launch of my recently redesigned website," said Congresswoman Lee. "I hope everyone will take a moment to explore my website to learn about my work on key issues and discover how to take advantage of the constituent services my office can provide." Rep … Continue Reading
December 01, 2010
Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on International Climate Talks in Cancun
For Immediate Release December 1, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement regarding the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Cancun, Mexico from November 29 - December 10, 2010. "There is no denying the urgent threat posed by global climate change, and its potential to exacerbate instances of inequality and suffering around the world," said Congresswoman Lee. … Continue Reading
December 01, 2010
Barbara Lee Commemorates World AIDS Day
For Immediate Release December 1, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams 202-225-2661 Calls for Renewed Focus and Commitment to Fight HIV/AIDS Washington, DC - Today, in commemoration of World AIDS Day, Congresswoman Barbara Lee called for a renewed focused and commitment across the globe to fighting HIV/AIDS. "As we recognize World AIDS Day, we must all recommit ourselves - as a global community - to stamping out HIV/AIDS from the face of the earth." "Last week we … Continue Reading
November 30, 2010
Barbara Lee Meets With President to Discuss Child Nutrition Bill
For Immediate Release November 30, 2010 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Following a meeting with the President and his senior staff at the White House earlier today, Congresswoman Lee issued the following statement: "I am very pleased we were able to work together with the President and his team to address concerns regarding cuts to the food stamp program that are included in the child nutrition bill. As a result of our discussions, I plan to … Continue Reading