Press Releases
Barbara Lee’s Statement on the Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on the upcoming anniversary of hurricane Katrina:“A year ago hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. One year later, it is clear that the Bush administration has failed to make good on its promises to the region, and we need to demand more.“It is not simply that reconstruction efforts have languished, and well connected corporations have reaped the rewards while tens of … Continue Reading
August 24, 2006
Barbara Lee to Visit Gulf Coast on the Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
Oakland, CA -U.S. House Rep. Barbara Lee announced that she will travel to the Gulf Coast Region to mark the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (August 27-30, 2006).“It’s been a year since Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. And since the Bush administration has failed to make good on its promises to the region, it’s important that as a federal legislator, I be on the ground and add my voice to many others that are demanding more from this Administration and this … Continue Reading
August 18, 2006
Barbara Lee Holds Town Hall Meeting to Unveil Agenda for a "New Direction for America"
(Oakland, CA) - As Californians face record gas prices, soaring healthcare costs, stagnating wages and rising inflation, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) held a town hall meeting to unveil a new Democratic legislative agenda designed to provide a “New Direction for America.”“Five and a half years of failed Bush administration policies have left our country less safe and closed the door of opportunity to millions of Americans - it’s time for a new direction,” said Lee.East Bay residents … Continue Reading
August 13, 2006
Barbara Lee Calls for Focus on African Americans at XVI International AIDS Conference
(Toronto, Canada) - U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) faulted the Bush administration’s failure to address the toll that AIDS is taking on African Americans in the U.S. and called for increased funding for prevention and treatment at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto this weekend.“AIDS is devastating the African American community and the Bush administration and the Republican Congress have just turned their backs,” said Lee, who serves as the Chair of the … Continue Reading
August 09, 2006
Barbara Lee to Receive MLK Freedom Award Lee Recognized by National Progressive Baptist Convention for Work on Civil and Human Rights
(Cincinnati, OH) - On Friday, August 11th Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will receive the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award from the Progressive National Baptist Convention as the organization celebrates the 45th anniversary of its founding in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lee was chosen for the award for her “outstanding contributions to the cause of civil and human rights.”“I am deeply honored to receive the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award for my contributions in the areas of civil … Continue Reading
August 03, 2006
Barbara Lee Holds Community Meeting on Wachovia Merger Ranking Member of Financial Services Committee Is Special Guest
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) hosted a public meeting to receive testimony from residents of the Ninth U.S. Congressional District, community-based organizations and community leaders on the impact the Golden West Financial - Wachovia merger could have locally and to hear from Wachovia regarding its commitments to California and the local community. The meeting took place at the federal building in Oakland and featured Ranking Member of the House Financial Services … Continue Reading
July 26, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to Iraqi PM’s Speech
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s address to a joint session of Congress today:“I listened to the Iraqi Prime Minister's speech today before a joint session of Congress and, quite frankly, it sounded like it was written more with the interests of the White House in mind than the people on the streets of Baghdad. With 80 percent of the Iraqi people opposed to our continued presence, … Continue Reading
July 26, 2006
Barbara Lee Votes Against India Nuclear Deal
(Washington, DC) - Tonight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) voted against a bill that would lift restrictions on U.S. nuclear aid to India, citing the measure’s failures to address concerns that it would undermine international nuclear nonproliferation efforts.“The problem with the deal, as it is currently written, is that it will do lasting harm to more than thirty years of international efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons,” said Lee. “It creates a double standard that … Continue Reading
July 25, 2006
BARBARA LEE: India Nuclear Deal Will Undermine Nonproliferation Efforts
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Ed Markey (D-MA), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Diane Watson (D-CA) held a press conference on Capitol Hill today to share concerns about the proposed deal to lift restrictions on U.S. nuclear aid to India that the House will vote on tomorrow. The following is Congresswoman Lee’s statement:“I want to thank Congressman Markey for co-hosting this press conference with me and for his outstanding leadership on the issue on nuclear … Continue Reading
July 25, 2006
India Nuclear Deal Press Conference
Click Here to Watch the Video of the Press … Continue Reading
July 18, 2006
Barbara Lee’s Statement on H.Res. 921
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara lee (D-Oakland) gave the following statement on H.Res. 921:“Mr. Speaker, I join those who condemn the recent kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and rocket attacks into Israel, and I rise in strong support of Israel’s right to protect and defend itself from attacks in accordance with international law, including Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. “However, the resolution before us goes much further than that and it also omits any mention of how and … Continue Reading
July 17, 2006
Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Federal Marriage Amendment
(Washington, DC) - As the House debated a constitutional ban on same sex marriages that the Senate had already defeated, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in forceful opposition to the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment on the House floor today. The following is her statement:“Of course I stand in strong opposition to H. J. Res 88. This amendment seeks to enshrine and it does enshrine discrimination into our Constitution. “And as an African-American woman, and as a person of … Continue Reading
July 17, 2006
Barbara Lee Lauds Wachovia Decision to Open Oakland HQ
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) called Wachovia Corporation’s announcement today that it will make its West Coast home in Oakland after the merger with Oakland-based Golden West Financial good news for Oakland and vowed to continue to work to ensure that the merger benefits the East Bay.“This is a great first step towards making sure that this deal is a winner for Oakland and the East Bay,” said Lee. “We asked Wachovia to make a commitment to our city, to making … Continue Reading
July 13, 2006
Barbara Lee Calls for Reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) joined with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) in calling for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act and opposing amendments designed to gut the historic civil rights legislation. Her statement from the House floor follows:“Let me thank Mr. Conyers for your leadership and for yielding. And also to Chairman Sensenbrenner and to … Continue Reading
July 12, 2006
Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Promote U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange
(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced legislation to promote educational exchange between the United States and Caribbean nations.“Educational exchange programs are universally recognized as one of the best means to support economic development and promote democratic values, but for years we have taken our ‘third border’ to the south for granted,” said Lee. “This bill will help close that critical gap, by strengthening relations with our Caribbean … Continue Reading
July 07, 2006
Awards Highlight Conscience, Courage of Lee’s Work
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) is scheduled to receive two awards next week that highlight the conscience and courage that define her work in Congress on issues ranging from war and genocide to AIDS and healthcare.“There are many life and death issues like AIDS, genocide, human rights and global security and peace that we are faced with every day, and I have no option but to try to make this world a better place. I am deeply humbled to receive these awards,” said … Continue Reading
July 06, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to North Korean Missile Tests
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to North Korea’s decision to break a seven year old unilateral moratorium and test fire seven missiles on Tuesday:"I join with people in the United States and around the world in condemning North Korea's provocative actions. When they break their international commitments, as they did in this case, they only undermine their credibility in the world and further isolate their … Continue Reading
June 29, 2006
Waxman-Lee “Fair and Balanced” Trade Amendment Passes House
(Washington, DC) - The House unanimously approved an amendment introduced by Congressman Henry A.Waxman (D-Los Angeles) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) designed to increase attention to public health concerns in trade policy during debate last night on the Science-State- Justice-Commerce Appropriations bill.“If the only formal advisors for our trade representative are representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, the policy will be biased toward industry and will overlook … Continue Reading
June 29, 2006
Barbara Lee Condemns Move to Lift Off-Shore Drilling Ban
(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in strong opposition to H.R. 4761, which would rescind the 25 year old bipartisan moratorium on off-shore oil and gas drilling. The following is her statement: "Mr. Speaker, talk about beating a dead horse. Instead of getting tough with the administration's oil and gas cronies, Republicans want to reward them with even more public giveaways. "First ANWR, now the Outer Continental Shelf. Republicans would put an oil … Continue Reading
June 28, 2006
Oakland Student’s Artwork Displayed in U.S. Capitol Exhibit Barbara Lee Hosts Local Winner of Congressional Art Competition
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted Ashley Smith, the Ninth Congressional District winner of the 22nd annual Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery, for the opening of the exhibit at the US Capitol building today. Ms. Smith’s untitled work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the year-long exhibit sponsored by more than 300 Members of Congress."We are very proud to have Ashley’s work represent our District in the Capitol during the Artistic Discovery … Continue Reading