Press Releases
Barbara Lee Visits Devastated Sections of New Orleans Condemns Bush’s Lack of Urgency and Commitment to Rebuilding
(New Orleans, LA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) toured disaster affected regions of New Orleans, and condemned the lack of urgency and federal commitment to rebuilding New Orleans during Congressional hearings on reconstruction plans in the city today.“After this morning’s bus tour, I’m more convinced than ever that we must attack these issues with a sense of urgency--urgency that has not been matched by the President or his Administration,” said Lee. “President Bush should be … Continue Reading
December 20, 2005
Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Require Poverty Impact Reports Accountability is Third Component of Legislative "Poverty Package"
(Washington, DC) - As the House of Representatives wrapped up its legislative work for the year, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced the third and final bill in a package of legislation aimed at combating poverty, a measure that will require Congress to report on the poverty impact of its legislative activities. “We have all seen the devastating impact that turning a blind eye to poverty has caused, and it is clear that we cannot afford to continue to look away,” said Lee. … Continue Reading
December 20, 2005
Barbara Lee Calls on Bush to Turn Over Info on NSA Spying
(Washington, DC) - In response to news that President Bush had authorized warrantless NSA spying on Americans, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced a privileged resolution, calling on the administration to provide to Congress all information related to such surveillance, including the names of those targeted (text of the resolution follows the release).Lee also responded to Bush administration claims that the warrantless NSA eavesdropping authorized by the President is permitted … Continue Reading
December 20, 2005
Barbara Lee Introduces HIV/AIDS Emergency Hurricane Relief Act
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced legislation aimed at ensuring continuing treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS who have been displaced by recent hurricanes, as the House of Representatives prepared to go into recess for the holidays. “For people living with AIDS, access to medication and treatment is a life or death issue,” said Lee. “From a public health perspective, we need to prevent the disruption of medication from creating drug … Continue Reading
December 17, 2005
Barbara Lee Responds to Latest Bush Speech on Iraq
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to President Bush’s fifth speech on Iraq in recent weeks:"President Bush now says the insurgents are feeling ‘a tightening noose,’ but after hearing the administration say that the they knew where the weapons of mass destruction were, that our troops would be greeted as liberators, that the mission was accomplished, that we were ‘turning the corner,’ that the insurgency was in its ‘last … Continue Reading
December 16, 2005
Barbara Lee Slams Sham GOP Iraq Victory Vote
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) voted today against H.Res. 612, a Republican resolution that was offered as an attempt to portray Democrats as divided on the issue of Iraq prior to the elections in 2006. The following is the statement she released in response to the resolution: “This Republican resolution is another politically motivated sham that is designed to hide the fact that, for all his talk about ‘victory,’ the President can’t answer some very simple … Continue Reading
December 15, 2005
Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against GOP Immigration Bill
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out against a controversial Republican immigration bill during debate on the measure in the House today. The following is her statement: “Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this un-American attempt at so-called immigration reform. At best, this legislation is unbalanced, harsh and unfair. “This bill criminalizes millions of hard-working people, simply for being undocumented. “It would turn local law … Continue Reading
December 15, 2005
Barbara Lee Inserts Fair Housing Provisions in Katrina Relief
(Washington, DC) - The House Financial Services Committee today approved an amendment to Katrina relief legislation offered by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that would increase funding for enforcement of fair housing laws and for counseling for families in temporary housing and shelters. “These provisions are critical in guaranteeing that hurricane survivors are educated about their housing options and have a fair and equal opportunity for affordable housing opportunities when … Continue Reading
December 14, 2005
Barbara Lee Opposes Extension of the PATRIOT Act, Blasts "Big Brother Attack"
(Washington, DC) - Calling it "another Big Brother attack," Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke out against the measure to reauthorize, expand and extend controversial elements of the USA PATRIOT Act during debate on the House floor today. Her statement follows: "I rise in strong opposition to the Conference report for H.R. 3199, the reauthorization of this unpatriotic act. "We should be repealing these undemocratic provisions, not expanding government's reach into the … Continue Reading
December 13, 2005
Barbara Lee Welcomes Faith Leaders Call for a Moral Budget Scores of Faithful Protest Budget Cuts on the Steps of Capitol Office Building
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) addressed a group of more than 200 faith leaders, who braved the cold on Capitol Hill today to perform civil disobedience to protest cuts in Medicaid, student loans and foodstamps and to call for a moral budget. “Who better than you, who serve on the front lines, who feed the hungry, who clothe the naked, who house the homeless, to tell Congress about the impact of this immoral budget on our families and our communities,” Lee told … Continue Reading
December 12, 2005
Lee: Report Documents Ongoing Failure in Katrina Response
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) renewed calls for immediate aid for survivors and increased accountability and oversight in light of a report released today, documenting the ongoing governmental failure in response to hurricane Katrina. “This report makes it clear that, three months after the Bush administration botched the immediate response to this catastrophe, Republicans in Congress are prepared to turn their backs on Katrina survivors and the Gulf Coast and walk … Continue Reading
December 11, 2005
Lee: Bush Admits Case for War Was a Sham
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to President Bush’s assertion, during a question and answer session following his speech on Iraq today, that “knowing what I know today, I'd make the decision [to invade Iraq] again”: “Today, President Bush effectively admitted what many of us who opposed the invasion of Iraq knew all along, namely that the supposed imminent threat of weapons of mass destruction was a convenient excuse used to … Continue Reading
December 10, 2005
Barbara Lee Holds Town Hall Meetings on Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) held town hall meetings in Oakland and Castro Valley on Saturday to help East Bay seniors understand and enroll in the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit Program. “The new Medicare prescription drug benefit and the proliferation of different plans have caused quite a bit of confusion, and my constituents deserve the facts,” said Lee. “These town hall meetings are designed for seniors to meet with experts and get the facts on … Continue Reading
December 09, 2005
Lee Calls for EPA Enforcement of Polluter Pays Provision Enforcement Might Have Prevented Superfund Site in Oakland
(Washington, DC) - On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the legislation that created the federal Superfund, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), calling on the agency to enforce provisions of the law that would ensure that polluters pay for the cost of environmental cleanup resulting from their operations. "Twenty five years ago, Congress passed legislation to ensure that polluters would pay for environmental cleanup, and it is … Continue Reading
December 08, 2005
Barbara Lee’s Statement on GOP Tax Cut Bill
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives voted 234-197 to pass a Republican tax bill that included $56 billion in tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest one percent of Americans. As part of the budget reconciliation process, the House already voted on a GOP measure to cut more than $50 billion from education, healthcare, foster care, child support and a host of other vital social programs. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) voted against the bill. The following is … Continue Reading
December 06, 2005
House Approves Lee Bill Honoring the Anniversary of the End of Slavery December 6th Was 140th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 13th Amendment
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to recognize the 140th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States. The following are excerpt from her statement on the House floor: “Today, I hope that all Members will support this effort to honor the 140th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment. On December 6, 1865, … Continue Reading
November 30, 2005
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on World AIDS Day
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement on the progress and challenges in fighting the global HIV/AIDS pandemic on the eve of World AIDS Day, December 1st: “Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. More than 25 million people have died of this devastating disease since 1981, and today more than 40 million people are infected globally—the vast majority in Sub-Saharan Africa. The United Nation’s … Continue Reading
November 30, 2005
Barbara Lee Responds to President Bush’s Speech on Iraq
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to President Bush’s speech outlining a “plan for victory” in Iraq today: “President Bush’s speech today was the speech of a man who has staked his presidency on a failed policy and refuses to take responsibility. “More than two years after declaring ‘mission accomplished’ in Iraq, President Bush is asking the American people to accept a public relations campaign dressed up as a ‘plan for … Continue Reading
November 21, 2005
Barbara Lee Gives East Bay Small Businesses a Seat at the Table for Federal Transportation Funds
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) convened a business roundtable in Oakland today to make sure that East Bay small businesses, particularly minority and women owned businesses, are in a position to bid on contracts for local federally funded transportation projects. “I’m working to make sure that federal transportation funds bring real benefits to the East Bay in the form of new jobs, safer roads, faster commutes, and more innovative and environmentally friendly … Continue Reading
November 18, 2005
Barbara Lee Announces More Federal Funds For The Ed Roberts Campus
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced that an Appropriations bill approved by the House today includes funds for the Ed Roberts Campus, an intermodal transit and disability rights center in Berkeley. “These funds are critical in making public transportation accessible to people with disabilities and enhancing the quality of life for thousands of people in the Bay Area,” said Lee. “I am proud to help move forward a facility that will be a national … Continue Reading