Press Releases
Barbara Lee Congratulates Local Green Business Initiative
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) congratulated the Green Albany Project for its pioneering work in promoting green business practices, helping local businesses to save money and contribute to protecting the environment by recycling and composting.“Over the last year, the Green Albany Project has demonstrated that adopting environmentally sustainable practices isn’t just a good idea, it is good for business,” said Lee. “The Green Albany Project is an outstanding … Continue Reading
May 25, 2006
Barbara Lee Demands Info on Bush Iran Plans
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) last night introduced a privileged resolution calling on the White House to turn over to Congress any information related to administration plans for regime change or attack against Iran.“You don’t need to look further than Iraq to see that the Bush administration’s dangerous doctrine of preemption is a failure that we cannot afford to repeat with Iran,” said Lee. “Congress has neglected its oversight of this failed policy, and now … Continue Reading
May 24, 2006
Lee, Progressive Caucus Hold Forum on Iran and Preemption
(Washington, DC) - The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) hosted a forum on Capitol Hill Wednesday where experts discussed the possible consequences of a preemptive attack on Iran. Video of the forum is available online at: http://www.politicstv.com/blog/?p=32.“Given our experience in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq and the fact that our troops remain there despite the fact that there were no weapons … Continue Reading
May 24, 2006
Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against ANWR Drilling
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) gave the following statement against a Republican proposal to open the Artic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling on the House floor today:“Mr. Speaker opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling is not the answer to high gas prices today or to the long-term energy needs of tomorrow.“The fact is we are addicted to oil. The proponents of this bill would have you believe that the only way to cure an … Continue Reading
May 17, 2006
Sudanese Embassy Arrest
May 17, 2006
Sudanese Embassy Arrest
Click here to listen to the … Continue Reading
May 17, 2006
Barbara Lee Rejects GOP Budget, Supports CBC Alternative
(Washington, DC) - Tonight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out against the Republican budget resolution, and for the Congressional Black Caucus alternative budget. She gave the following statement during debate on the House floor:“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Congressional Black Caucus alternative budget and in opposition to the Republican budget.“Mr. Speaker, the Republican budget falls short on every count, particularly when it comes to our defense priorities.“The … Continue Reading
May 17, 2006
Barbara Lee Slams Attempt to Lift Coastal Drilling Ban
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to Republican efforts to lift a Congressional ban on Coastal drilling during debate on the Interior Appropriations bill today:“For twenty five years we have maintained a bipartisan agreement to ban any new drilling off our shores because we believed it was more important to safeguard the health and beauty of our coastal environment for future generations to enjoy. “But now the interior … Continue Reading
May 16, 2006
Barbara Lee Arrested in Darfur Protest at Sudanese Embassy
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) and CBC members Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. Al Green (D-TX), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) were arrested this morning at a protest at the Sudanese embassy in Washington, DC.The action was designed to call public attention to the ongoing genocide in Darfur, and to build public support for U.S. and … Continue Reading
May 14, 2006
Barbara Lee Slams Border Militarization Calls Proposal a “Dangerous Publicity Stunt”
(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) sharply criticized the Bush administration’s proposal to militarize the U.S. border with Mexico in order to stop illegal immigration, calling the proposal “a dangerous publicity stunt.” The following is her statement:“If the President and the Republicans in Congress were serious about securing our border, they would have provided more funding for border control, following the 9-11 Commission’s recommendations. The fact is, … Continue Reading
May 10, 2006
115 Join Lee in Calling for Protection for Women, Human Rights Workers in Guatemala
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Ranking Member of the House International Relations Committee and Human Rights Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman Tom Lantos, Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus, Congresswoman Hilda Solis and 112 other members of Congress sent a letter to the State Department today, calling for increased protection for women and human rights workers in Guatemala.“There is bipartisan concern about the growing violence in Guatemala, both against women and human … Continue Reading
May 10, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to Reports of New NSA Domestic Spying
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to news reports today that the Bush administration authorized another secret NSA program to monitor the telephone calls of Americans:“I am deeply concerned by new evidence that the Bush administration is conducting warrantless surveillance of Americans, and I fear that, left unchallenged, President Bush's actions will do lasting damage to the Constitution and the principles upon which this … Continue Reading
May 10, 2006
Barbara Lee and 28 Colleagues Call on Bush to Repudiate HUD Secretary’s Comments
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and 28 of her House colleagues sent a letter to President Bush today, calling on him to publicly repudiate remarks made by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Alphonso Jackson, who recently said he had revoked a HUD contract, based on the political beliefs of the contractor. The text of the letter follows:May 11, 2006The President The White HouseWashington, DC 20500Dear Mr. President: We are writing with great concern … Continue Reading
May 10, 2006
Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Reduce Fire Deaths
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced the Safe Access in Fire Emergencies (S.A.F.E.) Act, legislation that would help reduce fire deaths caused by window security bars.“This is a common sense step that we can take to stop preventable fire deaths,” said Lee. “People need the peace of mind of knowing that securing their houses against burglary doesn’t mean making their families more vulnerable to fires.”Lee’s legislation directs the Consumer Product Safety … Continue Reading
May 05, 2006
Barbara Lee's Statement on World AIDS Orphans Day
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement on World AIDS Orphans Day, which is May 7th:"This year as we recognize and commemorate the fifth annual World AIDS Orphans Day and the over 15 million children around the world who have lost one or both parents to this disease, there is plenty of reason to hope that change is very near on the horizon."Today, every 14 seconds another child is orphaned by AIDS. With parents dying at an alarming … Continue Reading
May 04, 2006
69 Join Lee in Call for More Funds to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria
(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) sent a letter, signed by 69 members of Congress, calling on key members of the House Appropriations Committee to increase funding for global AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria programs.“The United States can and must do more to lead the fight against these devastating pandemics by increasing funding for the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, ensuring that children are treated and cared for, and increasing our contribution to the … Continue Reading
May 04, 2006
Barbara Lee Congratulates Emeryville Company on HHS Award Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Gets $220 Million for Influenza Research
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) congratulated Emeryville-based Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics (formerly Chiron) for being selected as the recipient of a $220 million award from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the development of cell-based production technologies for influenza vaccines.“We need to be prepared for an influenza pandemic, and I’m proud that our district has been selected to help our nation meet that challenge,” said Lee.The award … Continue Reading
May 03, 2006
Senate Follows Lee's Lead on Permanent Bases
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), whose amendment to prevent the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq was approved by the House, praised the Senate for their vote today in support of a similar measure introduced by Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE).“Despite all of the division and the partisanship about when to leave Iraq and under what circumstances, I think there is one thing that EVERYONE ought to be able to agree on, namely that we should not be in Iraq … Continue Reading
May 03, 2006
51 Reps Join Lee in Call for Fair Housing Funds
(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) sent a letter, signed by 51 members of Congress, calling on key members of the House Appropriations Committee to increase funding for programs to prevent housing discrimination.“Fair housing education and enforcement play a pivotal role in increasing homeownership for people of color,” said Lee. “With increased funding for fair housing, we will be able to assist more individuals, the housing industry, and communities in forming … Continue Reading
April 30, 2006
Barbara Lee Convenes Meeting of Community and Faith Leaders on Immigration
(Oakland, CA) - As supporters of immigration reform again take to the streets, Congresswoman Barbara Lee convened a meeting of local community and faith leaders at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, to discuss the local impact of immigration policy and held a press conference with attendees to demonstrate the breadth and diversity of support within the community for an immigration policy that is comprehensive and fair.“We are here to emphatically reject the cynical and divisive … Continue Reading