Press Releases
Barbara Lee's Remarks for Rally to End Genocide in Darfur
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will address the rally in San Francisco on Sunday as part of the National Day of Conscience for Darfur. Her remarks (as prepared) follow.Lee, who is the most senior Democratic woman on the House International Relations Committee, where she serves on the Africa Subcommittee, has been a leader in the effort to end the genocide in Darfur. She was an original cosponsor of both the resolution to declare the situation in Darfur a genocide and … Continue Reading
April 28, 2006
Barbara Lee to Address Rally to End Genocide in Darfur
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), long a leader in the effort to end the genocide in Darfur, will address the rally in San Francisco on Sunday as part of the National Day of Conscience for Darfur.“Nearly two years ago, on June 24th, 2004, I stood with the Congressional Black Caucus, Leader Pelosi and others and introduced H CON RES 467, declaring that genocide was occurring in Darfur, Sudan and that the Government of Sudan is responsible - the same government which … Continue Reading
April 28, 2006
Barbara Lee Introduces Environment and Public Health Restoration Act Bill Requires Scientific Review of the Impact of Bush Environmental Policies
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced H.R. 5235, The Environment and Public Health Restoration Act, legislation that would require an extensive review of the impact of changes the Bush administration has made and proposes making to environmental policy.“Over the last five years, through legislation and rule changes, the Bush Administration has effectively gutted the regulatory infrastructure for environmental protection,” said Lee. “By and large these … Continue Reading
April 27, 2006
Barbara Lee Congratulates Oakland Org. for Winning Dept. of Labor Award
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) congratulated the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC) Cypress Mandela/Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program for their selection as the winner of the Department of Labor’s 2005 Exemplary Public Interest Contribution Award.“On behalf of California’s 9th U.S. Congressional District, I salute you for your ongoing work to train and place women in jobs throughout the employment spectrum, particularly those traditionally thought of as … Continue Reading
April 27, 2006
Barbara Lee Holds Second Congressional Hearing on Bringing Troops Home from Iraq
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, as the House Republican leadership announced that it plans floor debate on Iraq, U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA.), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Maxine Waters (D-CA) co-chaired a second forum on ending U.S. military operations in Iraq and bringing U.S. troops home, while helping the Iraqis regain control over their country and their future.“Today we are here to discuss questions that, quite frankly, no one in Washington - not the … Continue Reading
April 26, 2006
House Accepts Lee Amendment Requiring Report on Efforts to Overthrow Democratic Governments
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House approved a measure introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that would require the White House to submit classified reports on any efforts to overthrow democratically elected governments.“I offer this amendment to support and protect our efforts to support democratic movements and to help ensure our actions are consistent with our values,” said Lee. “Actions that undermine democracies also undermine our credibility in the world and therefore … Continue Reading
April 25, 2006
Barbara Lee Calls for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) called on members of the Senate and the House to stop playing politics with immigration and to move forward with comprehensive immigration legislation at a press conference on Capitol Hill today. The following is her statement:“Today, I join with my colleagues in urging the Members of Senate and the House to reject the cynical, divisive and ultimately unworkable legislation that the Republicans have proposed and to join us in bringing … Continue Reading
April 24, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to Rumors of Immigration Raids in Oakland
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement today in response to rumors that immigration raids were taking place in Oakland:“My office in Oakland has received reports that individuals in unmarked vans have been traveling throughout our community and seizing individuals. My staff has spoken with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and they have stated that there are currently no deportation operations ongoing in our community. “My staff … Continue Reading
April 21, 2006
Barbara Lee Holds Community Health Town Hall Experts Help with Medicare RX Benefit, Discuss Community Health Solutions
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) held a Town Hall Meeting at the Fruitvale Senior Center in Oakland today where community health experts addressed the Medicare prescription drug benefit, and discussed prevention efforts and resources for addressing health challenges that impact local residents, like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.“I am deeply invested in the health and well-being of the people who live in my district,” said Lee. “That means making sure we … Continue Reading
April 19, 2006
Barbara Lee’s Statement on HHS Secretary Leavitt’s Visit to Oakland to Promote Medicare RX Plan
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issues the following statement today in response to the visit of Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt’s visit to Oakland to promote enrollment in the Bush administration’s Medicare Prescription Drug program: “If Secretary Leavitt was really concerned about making sure seniors and people with disabilities have a working prescription drug benefit, he’d be making sure that the White House and the Republican Congress extend … Continue Reading
April 17, 2006
Barbara Lee Congratulates Bay Area Environmental Honorees
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) congratulated the 13 Bay Area organizations and individuals, including five from her Congressional District, who were honored today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2005 during the EPA’s eighth annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco today.“I congratulate the EPA’s Environmental Awards recipients for their hard work and innovation, and I thank them … Continue Reading
April 13, 2006
CA Small Businesses Hard Hit by President’s Budget Cuts
(Washington, DC) - As House Republicans fight over their stalled budget proposal, a recent report finds that small businesses received the brunt of the President’s budget cuts. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), along with the other Democratic members, released a report analyzing the impact of the FY2007 budget on small businesses, including those in California. The report found that the administration has once again proposed cuts and eliminations to small business programs by a … Continue Reading
April 05, 2006
Barbara Lee Commends CalSTRS for Sudan Divestment Vote
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) commended the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) for the board’s vote in support of a motion expressing their intention to divest the fund’s holdings in companies doing business in Sudan.“I want to commend CalSTRS for taking a morally and financially principled stand against the genocide in Darfur today. No one should have to worry that their retirement funds are supporting genocide, and CalSTRS decision today sets … Continue Reading
April 05, 2006
Lee, CA Reps Call on CalSTRS and CalPERS to Help End Genocide in Darfur with Sudan Divestment Plan
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), Ranking Member of the House International Relations Committee Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo) and 11 other members of the California Congressional delegation today sent letters to the CEOs and boards of the California Public Employees Retirement System(CalPERS) and the California State Teacher’s Retirement System calling on the public pension programs to develop a plan to divest from … Continue Reading
April 03, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to GAO Report on Abstinence-Only Earmark
(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), senior most Democratic woman on the House International Relations Committee and co-author of the legislation establishing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), responded to a report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the negative impact of the Congressionally mandated 33 percent earmark of global AIDS prevention funds for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. “Our global AIDS … Continue Reading
March 23, 2006
Barbara Lee’s Statement on World Tuberculosis Day
(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement on World Tuberculosis Day: “TB is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world today. Even though it is completely curable, TB kills over 2 million people worldwide each year. “As the leading killer of people infected with HIV, it is critical that we address the global tuberculosis pandemic if we are ever going to achieve success in defeating HIV/AIDS. “This past January, … Continue Reading
March 23, 2006
Lee to Describe “Nation in Crisis” in 2nd “State of the District” Address
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee will give her second annual “State of the District” address at 6:00 pm on Friday evening in the Edward R. Roybal Auditorium of the Ron V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland. She will review her work on issues ranging from education to violence prevention and healthcare to the war on Iraq, and highlight the contrast between the vision and principles that inform that work and those of the Bush administration and Congress. The following are excerpts … Continue Reading
March 17, 2006
Barbara Holds Town Hall on 3rd Anniversary of Iraq War
(Oakland, CA) - On the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Congresswoman Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out against the war at a town hall meeting she hosted in Oakland today. “Three years into this unnecessary war, after an incredible human and financial cost, our country and the world are less safe,” said Lee. “It is time to recognize that success means ending this war, bringing our troops home and making sure there are no permanent military bases in Iraq.” The event, which took place … Continue Reading
March 16, 2006
Lee Amendment to Protect Against Identity Theft Approved
(Washington, DC) - The House Financial Services Committee today approved a measure offered by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) designed to alert consumers to breaches in data security in order to protect them from the risk of identity theft. “While I have grave concerns about the overall bill, I want to make sure that, at the very least, all consumers know when a data security breach occurs so that they can then make their own choice on whether to do business with a company or not,” … Continue Reading
March 16, 2006
Barbara Lee Amendment on Permanent Bases Approved in Debate on Iraq War Supplemental Spending Bill
(Washington, DC) - Today, during debate on the to an emergency spending bill for the War in Iraq, the House approved an amendment introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that will prohibit the use of funds to enter in to basing agreements that would lead to a permanent military presence in Iraq. The amendment to H.R.4939, the administration’s $91 billion supplemental request for Iraq, Afghanistan and Katrina relief, was approved by a voice vote. Lee, who last year introduced … Continue Reading