Press Releases
Federal Funds Help Reduce Congestion with I-238 Widening
(Castro Valley, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) was on hand today for the groundbreaking on a project to widen I-238 between I-880 and I-580, which was made possible in part by funds secured by Lee in the federal transportation bill last year.“This project is an example of the fruit of our efforts to bring in federal funds for transportation projects that are critical to the East Bay and provide a vital economic stimulus for our community,” said Lee. “This funding is part of the … Continue Reading
October 04, 2006
California Delegation Lauds Lee’s Leadership on Darfur Divestment
Washington, DC - Members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation (CDCD) commended the leadership of U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) in working to stop the genocide in Darfur. In particular, delegation members highlighted her role in starting the process that led to the historic California legislation, signed into law by the governor last week, that divests California pension funds from companies whose business supports the genocide in Darfur.“Congresswoman Lee is … Continue Reading
September 29, 2006
Barbara Lee Hails Momentum in Preventing Permanent Bases
(Washington, DC) - For the second time this week Congress has approved a measure designed to bar funds from being used to establish permanent military bases in Iraq, including it in the fiscal year 2007 Defense Authorization bill conference report, which the House approved today.Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who has led Congressional efforts to prevent permanent military bases in Iraq, hailed the House approval of the provision.“This is a positive step towards establishing that it … Continue Reading
September 29, 2006
Barbara Lee Blasts Governor for Veto of Prison AIDS Bill Veto Undermines Efforts to Stem Spread of Disease in African American Community
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to news that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today vetoed AB 1677, legislation designed to stop the spread of HIV and other STIs by allowing the distribution of condoms in California’s prisons:“I am deeply disappointed by the Governor's decision to veto the Koretz bill. AIDS is devastating the African American community and the prison system is contributing to its spread in our community. If … Continue Reading
September 28, 2006
Barbara Lee Opposes Cuts to California AIDS Funds
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out against proposed new formulas for allocating federal funds for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS that would result in significant cuts for California and the Bay Area.“We cannot afford to play musical chairs with federal HIV/AIDS funds,” said Lee. “Taking money away from one state to give it to another and pitting states against each other in a competition for funds is not a solution. We need an increase in … Continue Reading
September 28, 2006
Barbara Lee Condemns DHS for Complete Neglect of Security at Port of Oakland
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) today announced a meeting with Port of Oakland officials to determine the extent of the damage to regional security resulting from the refusal of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fund any part of the Port’s request for security funds. “To zero out the security funding request for the fourth largest port in the United States at a time when we face intensified terrorist threats due to the war in Iraq is tantamount to gross … Continue Reading
September 28, 2006
Barbara Lee Slams Warrantless Eavesdropping Bill
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke forcefully against a Republican bill designed to provide legal cover for the Bush administration’s warrantless surveillance program, during debate on the House floor this evening. The following is her statement (as prepared):“Mr. Speaker, I rise in total opposition to H.R. 5825, the Electronic Surveillance Act.“The FISA law that the President chose to ignore and that this bill seeks to bypass is a law that powerfully symbolizes … Continue Reading
September 27, 2006
Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Torture Tribunal Bill
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in strong opposition to a controversial Republican bill designed to create a legal framework for trying suspected terrorists. The bill allows the President to interpret U.S. commitments under the Geneva Convention - an unprecedented move that critics say opens the door to torture - and creates a system where suspected terrorists may be held indefinitely, with no right to appeal their detention. The following is her statement … Continue Reading
September 27, 2006
Barbara Lee, CBC Members Get Tested at Capitol to Highlight Importance of Knowing HIV Status Encourages Local Black Elected Officials to Do the Same
(Washington, DC) - As part of the high profile mobilization to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African American community and to emphasize the importance of regular testing in that fight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) got tested for HIV at a mobile testing center outside of the Capitol building on Wednesday morning.“We have to stop the devastation this disease is causing in our community, and promoting testing is a critical first … Continue Reading
September 26, 2006
Lee Applauds Decision to Bars Funds for Permanent Bases in Iraq
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) applauded the inclusion of ban on funds the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq in a defense spending bill the House is widely expected to pass today.“This is a very important first step towards taking the target off of our troops’ backs and making it clear that we will not maintain a permanent military presence in Iraq,” said Lee, who introduced legislation in June, 2005 to prevent the establishment of permanent bases … Continue Reading
September 22, 2006
Lee Leads Bipartisan Group in Call to Uphold Permanent Bases Ban
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) led a bipartisan group of 72 members of Congress in writing to members of the conference committee on the Defense appropriations bill, calling on them to protect language in the bill that prohibits the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.“One area where policymakers and experts across the political spectrum agree is that the United States should make clear that it does not seek a permanent military presence in Iraq,” … Continue Reading
September 21, 2006
Lee Bill Will Stop Millions in Federal Contracts from Going to Companies that Support Darfur Genocide Measure Protects States’ Ability to Divest Public Pension Funds
(Washington, DC) - More than $600 million in federal contracts has gone to international companies whose business in Sudan may directly or indirectly support the Sudanese government’s campaign of genocide in Darfur, according to members of Congress who want to put an end to the practice.Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and other members of Congress held a press conference on Capitol Hill today to announce the introduction of legislation that would bar international companies whose business in … Continue Reading
September 20, 2006
Barbara Lee Blasts Proposed Voter ID Bill
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in strong opposition to a Republican proposed bill that would require voters to produce proof of citizenship in order to be able to vote. The following is her statement (as delivered):“Talk about a cynical, discriminatory, election year ploy. This is unbelievable. This bill as well as this closed rule should be defeated.“As a country with one of the lowest percentages of voter participation in the world, we should be doing … Continue Reading
September 18, 2006
Barbara Lee Holds Town Hall Meeting on West Oakland Air Quality
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee held a town hall meeting Saturday with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, the Port of Oakland, and the U.S. Postal Service where West Oakland residents got updates on collaborative efforts to improve local air quality and environmental health in the West Oakland community and learned what steps they can take to protect their families’ health.“Since our last town hall meeting … Continue Reading
September 17, 2006
Lee Bill Aims to Reduce the Spread of AIDS in Prisons
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced at a forum she hosted on AIDS in the African American community in Oakland on Saturday that she has introduced legislation aimed at stopping the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in prisons.“If we are serious about ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic we need to stop our prisons from being breeding grounds for the disease,” said Lee. “The fact is that more than 90 percent of incarcerated people return to … Continue Reading
September 15, 2006
Barbara Lee Hosts Forum on HIV/AIDS in the African American Community
(Oakland, CA) - On Saturday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) hosted “Getting Real: a Forum about HIV/AIDS” as part of an effort to raise awareness about the toll the disease is taking on the African American community and to foster community involvement in stopping its spread.“This year at the International AIDS conference, I joined with Julian Bond, Chairman of the Board of the NAACP and many others to announce a National Call to Action and Declaration of Commitment to End the AIDS … Continue Reading
September 11, 2006
Barbara Lee’s Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of 9/11
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001:“As we commemorate the fifth anniversary of the terrible terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, it is a time to come together as a nation to grieve and to remember the men, women and children who lost their lives that day. It is also a time to honor the courage and the heroism of our first responders and those who put … Continue Reading
September 08, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to Schwarzenegger’s Racist Comments
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to racist comments made by Governor Schwarzenegger:“The Governor’s racist comments were disgusting, but frankly not surprising. He has shown a consistent pattern of insensitive statements and actions that are not befitting of a governor. This type of statement would be unacceptable from anyone, but is particularly appalling from the governor of one of the most diverse states in the … Continue Reading
September 06, 2006
Congress Investigates Ineffectiveness of Abstinence-Only Earmark in Fighting Global AIDS
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) questioned witnesses today at a hearing held by the House Government Reform Committee Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations about recent evidence that U.S. efforts to stop the global spread of AIDS are being undermined by a requirement that one third of prevention funds be spent on abstinence-only programs. In April 2006 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report that found … Continue Reading
August 28, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to the Census Bureau’s New Report on Poverty in America
(New Orleans, LA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) responded to a report released by the Census Bureau today that approximately 37 million Americans are living below the poverty line, roughly the same amount as last year. Between 2000 and 2005 the number of people living in poverty increased by an average of more than one million per year."If the best thing that you can say about the Bush administration and the Republican Congress is that after five years, poverty isn't getting … Continue Reading