Press Releases
House Passes Lee Darfur Divestment Bill
(Washington, DC) - Today, by a veto-proof measure of 418-1, the House passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that would strengthen states rights to divest from international companies whose business in Sudan supports the genocide in Darfur and bar such companies from receiving tax payer funded federal contracts.“No one should have to worry that they are supporting genocide, whether it’s through their tax dollars or their pension fund,” said Lee. “This bill is … Continue Reading
July 24, 2007
House Passes Lee Bill to Ban Permanent Bases in Iraq
(Washington, DC) - Today, by a vote of 399-24, the House passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to prevent permanent military bases in Iraq and bar U.S. control over Iraqi oil resources.Lee’s bill, H.R. 2929, declares that it is the policy of the United States not to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq and not to exercise United States control of the oil … Continue Reading
July 24, 2007
Barbara Lee’s Statement on Bill to Ban Permanent Bases
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out in favor of legislation she introduced to prevent permanent military bases in Iraq and bar U.S. control over Iraqi oil resources during debate on the measure on the House floor today.“What this legislation does is simple. It does what the Iraq Study Group and other experts have recommended that we do. It makes a clear statement of policy that the U.S. does not intend to maintain an open ended military presence in Iraq and … Continue Reading
July 22, 2007
House to Vote on Lee Bill to Ban Permanent Bases in Iraq
(Washington, DC) - House leadership announced late Monday night that legislation introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to prevent permanent military bases in Iraq and bar U.S. control over Iraqi oil resources will come up for a vote on the House floor on Wednesday.“There is a lot of disagreement about Iraq, but there is widespread agreement on both sides of the aisle that U.S. occupation should not be permanent, and that is a good place to start,” Lee said.Lee’s bill, H.R. … Continue Reading
July 18, 2007
Barbara Lee Leads Bi-Partisan Group of 70 House Members in putting President Bush on Notice Over Upcoming Iraq Appropriations
Members pledge to use appropriations process to fully fund redeployment from Iraq(Washington, DC) - As public frustration with President Bush’s failed Iraq policy continues to mount, a bi-partisan group of 70 members of Congress asserted their power to use the appropriations process to change the policy in Iraq, directly challenging the President’s claim that Congress’ only power with regard to the conflict is to fund the policy he has set.Led by Progressive, and Out of Iraq Caucus Chairs … Continue Reading
July 11, 2007
Barbara Lee Announces More than $50 Million in Funding for Port Projects
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that will be voted on next week will include more than $50 million for port-related projects in her district.“This investment in the maintenance and expansion of the Port of Oakland helps to ensure that our nation’s fourth busiest container port continues to be an effective gateway for trade and to support the … Continue Reading
July 11, 2007
Barbara Lee Announces Funding for Public Safety, Violence Prevention Projects
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill that will be voted on next week will include over $1 million for projects in her district aimed at preventing violence and improving public safety.“From improving communications for emergency services to providing young people with alternatives to violence and crime and making sure that formally … Continue Reading
July 11, 2007
Barbara Lee Speaks Out for Withdrawal Timeline
Says Training Iraqi Security Forces is Undermining Security(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out and against a “blind commitment” to arming and training Iraqi security forces during debate today on a measure to establishing a clear timeline to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq by April, 2008. The following is her statement as delivered: “As the co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus, I rise in support of this bill. “The President has dug us deep into a hole in Iraq. … Continue Reading
July 10, 2007
Barbara Lee Announces Funding for Local Transportation Projects
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 Treasury, Transportation, HUD Appropriations Bill that will be voted on next week will include almost $2 million for transportation and community redevelopment projects in her district.“With this funding, we are making a real investment in strengthening public transportation, reducing congestion, improving public safety and supporting community … Continue Reading
July 10, 2007
Lee HHS Projects Focus on Violence Prevention, Fighting HIV/AIDS
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who serves on the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, announced today that the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, HHS Appropriations Bill that will be voted on next week will include $2.7 million for projects in her district, including money for long term priorities of Lee’s in the areas of community health and violence prevention.“This funding represents a significant investment in the … Continue Reading
July 02, 2007
Barbara Lee Responds to Bush Commuting Libby Sentence
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to President Bush's announcement that he had commuted the sentence of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby:"President Bush's decision to commute the sentence of Scooter Libby for his role in covering up the deliberate exposure of the identity of an undercover CIA operative is what we have come to expect from an administration that has consistently shown more interest in protecting its own than … Continue Reading
June 28, 2007
Barbara Lee Condemns Desegregation Ruling
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's bitterly divided decision forbidding the consideration of race in school integration plans: "Today's shocking decision undermines the commitment to equality in education that was spelled out in the Brown vs. The Board of Education decision, and threatens to turn the clock back on half a century of advances in racial equality in education." … Continue Reading
June 28, 2007
Ending the Travel Ban to Cuba
June 27, 2007
Panel Approves Lee Bill to Support US - Caribbean Educational Exchange
(Washington, DC) - On Tuesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved a bill introduced Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that would strengthen educational exchanges with the Caribbean, clearing the way for a floor vote on the measure.“As we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage month, it is only appropriate that we strengthen our relationship with our neighbors to the south by promoting a mutually beneficial educational exchange,” said Lee.“I am thrilled that our … Continue Reading
June 27, 2007
Barbara Lee Announces Grants for Employment Assistance
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced that the Department of Labor will provide $150,000 in grants to three Oakland organizations as part of a $3.8 million commitment to faith-based and community organizations that are helping hard-to-serve populations prepare for and succeed in employment opportunities nationwide.“These programs are helping people who are most in need of employment to get the skills and assistance that they need to find and keep a job,” said … Continue Reading
June 26, 2007
Barbara Lee Welcomes DOE Bioenergy Research Center to the East Bay
(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) welcomed the announcement today by U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) that DOE will invest up to $375 million in three new Bioenergy Research Centers, one of which will be located in 9th Congressional District of California. “This program is critical to our nation as we move aggressively to find alternatives to fossil fuels and begin to develop home-grown and environmentally responsible energy sources,” said Lee. “This announcement means … Continue Reading
June 26, 2007
Barbara Lee and Other Members Get Tested Publicly to Highlight HIV Testing Day
Washington, DC - On the eve of National HIV Testing Day, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) was joined by Frank Oldham, Executive Director for the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and others for a press conference on Capitol Hill designed to highlight the fight against AIDS in the nation’s capitol and to encourage people here and around the nation to get tested. After the press conference, Lee and others proceeded to a mobile testing … Continue Reading
June 18, 2007
Representatives Solis and Lee Lead Effort to Support Healthy Foods in the 2007 Farm Bill
Contacts: Sonia Meléndez (202) 225-5464Nathan Britton (202) 225-2661Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Hilda L. Solis (CA-32) and Barbara Lee (CA-9) joined by 24 other Members of the California delegation, sent a letter to Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Goodlatte urging them to address the problem of hunger and poverty in urban and suburban communities during consideration of the 2007 farm bill. “Despite California being the country’s major provider of fruits … Continue Reading
June 07, 2007
Barbara Lee Introduces Resolution to Honor National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
(Washington, DC) - Last night, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced a resolution to recognize National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is today.“In 2006, National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was created as an opportunity for Caribbean American and Caribbean-born individuals to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved,” said Lee. “This is critical because as we attempt to combat HIV/AIDS in America, overcoming racial and ethnic … Continue Reading
June 06, 2007
Lee Announces Increases for Education, Job Training and Violence Prevention
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), a member of the appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for labor, health and education, praised the panel’s increases in funds for education, job training and violence prevention as the subcommittee finished its markup of its 2008 spending bill today.“This bill represents an investment in our future, and I am particularly proud of our successful efforts to increase funds for programs that keep kids safe and give them real … Continue Reading