Press Releases
Barbara Lee Congratulates UC for Sudan Divestment Decision
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) today congratulated the Regents of the University of California for their decision to divest the university’s endowment of investments in nine companies doing business in Sudan, whose government has been conducting a campaign of genocide in the Darfur region. Lee, who has traveled twice to Darfur and who wrote a letter to the U.C. Regents that was signed by 21 members of the California Congressional delegation, urging them to … Continue Reading
March 15, 2006
Barbara Lee Blasts Bush Preemption Policy as Unsafe
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) responded to the Bush administration’s reaffirming its commitment to the doctrine of preemption today, saying that the policy has made the U.S. and the world less safe. Lee, who in the last two Congresses has introduced a resolution disavowing the Bush administration’s doctrine, issued the following statement: “Threats of unilateral preemptive strikes undermine the rule of law and endanger our own interests. The doctrine of … Continue Reading
March 09, 2006
Barbara Lee, CBC Women Speak Out on Addressing the Disparate Impact of HIV/AIDS on African American Women
(Washington, DC) - On the eve of first annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) was joined by other members of the Congressional Black Caucus and representatives from the Black AIDS Institute, the National Council of Negro Women, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and Women in NAACP in highlighting the disparate impact of HIV/AIDS on African American women, and calling for action from the administration and Congress at a press … Continue Reading
March 08, 2006
Congresswoman Lee Named Co-Chair of the Congressional National Health Insurance Caucus
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Lee (D-Oakland) was named co-chair of the Congressional National Health Insurance Caucus which will work to provide health coverage to all Americans. “In a nation with 46 million uninsured individuals, I am honored to be part of a group that is committed to ensuring every single American has access to quality health care,” said Lee. “It is shameful that Congress has failed to pass legislation guaranteeing health coverage to all. I look forward to … Continue Reading
March 08, 2006
Congresswoman Lee Announces Agreement in Eden Medical Center Labor Dispute Agreement Reached After Lengthy Negotiations
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Lee (D-Oakland) participated in negotiations that lasted throughout the day yesterday and into the early morning today and that ultimately resulted in an agreement to end the labor despite at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. She released the following statement this morning: “Since joining the negotiations over the weekend between SEIU/Health Care Workers West and Eden Medical Center, we have been engaged in serious and tough negotiations. … Continue Reading
March 02, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to GOP Rejection of NSA Spying Oversight
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee denounced the House Intelligence Committee decision yesterday, on a party-line vote of 10 to 8, to strike down a privileged resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), calling on the administration to provide Congress all information related to the National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance of Americans. “It is our duty as lawmakers to demand oversight and accountability in Washington,” said Lee. “The failure of … Continue Reading
February 15, 2006
Barbara Lee, Colleagues Respond to Report on Katrina Failures, Call for Independent Investigation, Quick Action on Recovery Bill
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) joined members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) to respond to a recent Congressional report on the failures of the government’s response to hurricane Katrina at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol today. Lee and members of the CBC, CHC and CAPAC condemned the report on Katrina response as inadequate, called for an independent … Continue Reading
February 15, 2006
Barbara Lee Questions New Fed Chair on Income Inequality, Discrimination in Lending
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) questioned newly appointed Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Ben Bernanke, on his support for raising the minimum wage and his plans for combating discrimination in mortgage lending during a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee today. The transcript of the interaction follows: OXLEY: The gentlelady from California, Ms. Lee? LEE: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome, Mr. Chairman. BERNANKE: Thank you. LEE: … Continue Reading
February 14, 2006
Senate Approves Lee Bill to Create Caribbean American Heritage Month
(Washington, DC) - The Senate this evening unanimously approved a bill authored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to designate a national Caribbean-American Heritage month. The bill acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to the United States since the inception of the country. “Establishing a Caribbean-American heritage month will help pay tribute to the tremendous contributions Caribbean-Americans have made throughout the history of this country,” … Continue Reading
February 08, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to President’s Global AIDS Plan Report
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) responded to the release today of the second annual report of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Lee was a coauthor of the bipartisan legislation that established PEPFAR, which designated $15 billion for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. She also co-authored the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which established the framework for the Global Fund to Fight … Continue Reading
February 06, 2006
Barbara Lee’s Statement on National Black AIDS Awareness Day
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement on National Black AIDS Awareness Day: “Today we recognize and commemorate the sixth National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day, a day when we urge African Americans and all Americans to get educated, to get involved, to get tested, and to get treated. “The statistics are sobering. The CDC estimates that over one million people were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2003. Although … Continue Reading
February 06, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to President's Global AIDS Budget
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) responded today to the funding levels for global AIDS programs in the fiscal year 2007 budget request President Bush submitted to Congress. “While we have seen a modest increase in funds to combat the global AIDS pandemic, the President’s budget still falls short of what is needed to effectively fight this disease,” said Lee. “The global AIDS pandemic is quite simply the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time, and providing the … Continue Reading
February 05, 2006
Barbara Lee Blasts Bush Budget
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), citing cuts to vital programs and services, described President Bush’s fiscal year 2007 budget request as favoring special interests and ignoring the needs of American families. “This budget is further evidence of just how out of touch the Bush administration is with the priorities of the American people,” said Lee. “This budget puts the special interests first, and leaves American families to pay the price.” Lee, who sits on … Continue Reading
February 01, 2006
Barbara Lee Calls on Bush to Increase Global AIDS Funding
(Washington, DC) - As the Bush administration prepares to submit its fiscal year 2007 budget to Congress, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), joined by 73 co-signers, sent a letter to the President calling on him to substantially increase funds for U.S. foreign assistance programs to address global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. "The ongoing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria pandemics represent the greatest humanitarian challenge in the world today. In the interests of social … Continue Reading
January 31, 2006
Barbara Lee and Progressive Caucus Offer Alternative State of the Union, Concrete Plans for Change in America
(Washington, DC) - Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus were joined by other Caucus members in presenting a clear alternative, inclusive, and uplifting vision for the United States of America during a press conference on Capitol Hill today. The press conference, which came on the morning of the president's State of the Union address, was followed by two in-depth panel discussions in which CPC members … Continue Reading
January 31, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to the State of the Union Address
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to President Bush's State of the Union Address tonight: "Americans have not forgotten that the President used the State of the Union to make the case that Iraq had WMD, and to insist that it was his highest priority to privatize Social Security. Given his track record of using the speech to mislead the public or to announce policy initiatives that American people then resoundingly … Continue Reading
January 31, 2006
Barbara Lee Responds to the Passing of Coretta Scott King
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement today on the passing of civil rights activist Coretta Scott King: "Today, as we mourn the loss of a great woman, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, let us pause to remember not only an incredible, courageous leader, but also the principles that she fought for. "From working to establish her husband's birthday as a national civil rights holiday, to fighting to end apartheid in South Africa, Mrs. King was … Continue Reading
January 26, 2006
Lawmakers Call on Rice to End Ideological Attacks on Funding for AIDS Programs
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Tom Lantos (D-CA), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today to protest attacks by right wing organizations and Republican members of Congress on effective programs to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and to call for a funding process based on merit and science, not ideology.“By attacking organizations with a proven … Continue Reading
January 20, 2006
Representatives Lee and Miller Announce Financial Aid Workshops "Cash for College 2006" Will Help East Bay Students
(Oakland, CA) - Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and George Miller (D-Richmond), executive officers of Willie McGee Foundation and East Bay Consortium, and other local elected officials and organizations announced their collaboration on a series of financial aid workshops designed for East Bay High School students at a press conference at Richmond High School today. "Education is the key that unlocks the doorway of dreams and opportunity, yet too many of our nation's young … Continue Reading
January 17, 2006
Barbara Lee Joins Democratic Leadership to Unveil "Honest Leadership, Open Government" Reform Package
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) returned to Washington today to join House and Senate Democrats in unveiling their "Honest Leadership, Open Government" Act, an aggressive reform package to reverse Republican excesses and protect the public trust. "Republican-controlled Washington has become infected with a Culture of Corruption, and the American people are paying the price," said Lee. "While Republicans reward the wealthy and special interests, … Continue Reading