Press Releases
Barbara Lee Expresses Outrage over Administration's Slow Response to Katrina
(Oakland, CA) - In a statement issued Friday September 2nd, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) lambasted the Administration’s slow response and lack of action to help the Gulf Coast communities destroyed by Hurricane Katrina."The slow response to the needs of the people in the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina is inexcusable. We had several days advance notice that the Hurricane was coming, but where was the preparedness? Why weren’t the hospitals, schools, and seniors evacuated … Continue Reading
July 19, 2005
Statement of Congresswoman Barbara Lee in Response to the Nomination of John Roberts for the Supreme Court
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) offered the following statement in response to the nomination of John G. Roberts Jr. to be the next Supreme Court Justice:“President Bush has chosen John G. Roberts Jr. as a nominee to be the next Supreme Court Justice to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.“The Senate will now review carefully the record of Justice O’Connor’s replacement to guarantee that this person respects the rights and freedoms of all Americans and will judge cases … Continue Reading
July 06, 2005
Barbara Lee Condemns London Bombings
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to the bombings in London today: “The people of our nation and the world are united in condemning these acts of wanton violence against innocent people. “Today, our hearts are with the people of London and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this violence and their families.” … Continue Reading
June 30, 2005
Barbara Lee Works to Lift Restrictions on Student Travel to Cuba
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) sponsored a measure to lift restrictions on student travel to Cuba today.“This is an issue of freedom for our students to travel and gain invaluable experience and educational opportunity that only international study-abroad programs can provide,” said Lee.Lee’s amendment to the Treasury-Transportation-Housing and Urban Development-Judiciary-DC (TTHUD) Appropriations bill, prohibited the use of funds to enforce regulations issued in June … Continue Reading
June 30, 2005
Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Prevent Permanent Bases in Iraq
(Washington, DC) - Late Thursday evening, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a bill to prevent the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq. “We need to make it perfectly clear that there will be no permanent US military presence in Iraq,” said Lee. “An open-ended military presence in Iraq will only fuel the insurgency and make our troops more vulnerable.” Lee’s bill states that it is “the policy of the United States not to enter into any base agreements with the Government of … Continue Reading
June 29, 2005
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Among Nominees for Nobel Peace Prize
1000 Nominees from Around the Globe Highlight Women’s Work for Peace (Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland, CA) was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize today as part of an international effort to recognize the work of women around the word who promote peace.“It’s an honor to be included with all of these women who have done so much to promote peace on our planet,” said Lee. “I think that this project is doing an important job of highlighting the often overlooked work that … Continue Reading
June 29, 2005
Barbara Lee Leads Successful Fight to Protect Fair Housing
House Passes Amendment to Restore HUD Funds(Washington, DC) - Tonight, the House approved an amendment sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee to restore funding to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order to stop discrimination and enforce fair housing laws.“Congress must work with HUD to ensure that they have the resources and authority needed to protect minorities and the disabled in public housing and prosecute those who have violated the civil rights of these … Continue Reading
June 28, 2005
Progressive Caucus Launches “The Progressive Promise”
(Washington, DC) - The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) unveiled their core principles and priorities at a reception this evening on Capitol Hill. Billed as an alternative to the Bush Administration's "Ownership Society," the CPC's "Progressive Promise" outlines an action agenda under the broad principles of "fighting for economic justice and security in the US and global economies," "protecting and preserving civil rights and civil liberties," and … Continue Reading
June 28, 2005
Barbara Lee Says Bush Has No Credibility, No Plan for Iraq
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) offered the following statement in response to President Bush’s speech on Iraq tonight:“The President misled the American people about this war, and he has no credibility on Iraq. There were no Weapons of Mass Destruction. There was no connection between Saddam and al Qaeda. There was no post war planning, and our nation is less safe as a result.“The last time he got up in front of the troops and addressed the nation on Iraq he said … Continue Reading
June 28, 2005
House Approves Barbara Lee’s Effort to Stem Arms to Haiti
(Washington, DC) - Tonight, the House approved by voice vote a measure introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that will end free arms transfers from the United States to Haiti.“The Haitian National Police are intimidating, murdering, and executing the poor and political opposition with weapons transferred free of charge from the United States to the Government of Haiti, and this is simply unacceptable,” said Lee.The measure, which Lee was joined in introducing by Representatives … Continue Reading
June 27, 2005
Barbara Lee Introduces Bill Supporting National HIV Testing Day
Encourages Members of Congress to Help Reduce the Stigma Related to HIV by Getting Tested(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day in an effort to help stem the spread of HIV/AIDS.“Testing saves lives and it is one of the simplest things we can do to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS,” said Lee. “We have seen this epidemic continue to spread, particularly in the African American community, … Continue Reading
June 27, 2005
House Approves Barbara Lee’s Bill to Create Caribbean American Heritage Month
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives approved H.Con.Res 71, a bill introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to designate a national Caribbean-American Heritage month.“Establishing Caribbean American Heritage month will celebrate the contributions of millions of Caribbean-Americans to the United States since the inception of the country,” said Lee.Last week, Congresswoman Lee co-hosted the annual U.S. Caribbean Legislative Forum where His Excellency Fred Mitchell, … Continue Reading
June 22, 2005
Barbara Lee Hails Report on Ohio Voting Problems
Says Reform is Essential to Restore Confidence in Democracy(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee welcomed the release today of a report on voting irregularities in Ohio during the 2004 Presidential elections and called for the implementation of measures to improve voting procedures and restore voters’ confidence in the electoral process.“This report on voting irregularities highlights grave problems that have plagued our voting process, both in Ohio and around the nation” said Lee. … Continue Reading
June 21, 2005
Barbara Lee Opposes Cut for Public Broadcasting Funds
Cites Local Impact of Cuts and Blasts GOP Efforts to Turn Public Broadcasting into FOX News(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced her strong opposition to a provision in the FY 2006 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill coming to the House Floor this week that cuts FY 2006 funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by 25 percent - cutting the appropriation from $400 million to $300 million.“Public broadcasting is a national treasure, and I will … Continue Reading
June 17, 2005
Barbara Lee Opposes GOP UN Reform Measure
Calls for Real Reform, Not Attempt to Dismantle UN(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee spoke out against the proposed GOP UN Reform bill and in favor of the democratic substitute offered by Ranking Member of the House International Relations Committee, Tom Lantos. The substitute was defeated 190-216, and the bill was passed 221-184 . Her statement follows:“I thank the gentleman, my friend and colleague Mr. Lantos. I want to thank you for helping really to make some sense out of this … Continue Reading
June 16, 2005
Barbara Lee Demands Answers on Downing Street Memo
Joins Rep. Conyers in Delivering Letter to White House Asking for Answers(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) joined Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, John Conyers (D-MI) in delivering to the White House a letter signed by more than 100 Representatives and more than 540,000 US citizens, calling on President Bush to answer questions raised by the “Downing Street Memo” as to whether the administration deliberately misled the nation into war with Iraq.“This memo … Continue Reading
June 16, 2005
Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Create National Passport Month
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced legislation today calling for the designation of September as National Passport Month.“Traveling abroad promotes understanding and goodwill,” said Lee. “When people connect with other people, it opens the doors to increased peace, tolerance, and acceptance.”The resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Passport Month and calls on the President to issue a proclamation on the federal government, states, localities, … Continue Reading
June 15, 2005
Barbara Lee Votes to Repeal Section of the PATRIOT Act
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in opposition to elements of the USA PATRIOT Act during debate on an amendment introduced by Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to the Science, State and Judiciary Appropriations Bill that would keep the government from accessing Americans’ reading records without a traditional search warrant. Representative Lee voted for the amendment, which passed by a vote of 238-187. Her statement follows:“I rise today in strong support of this … Continue Reading
June 15, 2005
Barbara Lee Leads Minority Voices in Opposing CAFTA
Says Trade Deal is Worse than NAFTA, Calls for Renegotiation(Washington, DC) - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee spoke out against the Dominican Republic-Central American Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) and called for its renegotiation at a press conference on Capitol Hill called by members of Congress who represent minority communities. Lee was joined by Representatives Hilda Solis (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), … Continue Reading
June 15, 2005
Barbara Lee Supports Changing Federal Medical Marijuana Law
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) strongly supported a measure to change federal law to stop the prosecution of patients who are following doctors orders in states that permit the use of medical marijuana.“The federal government has better things to do than prosecute sick people who are following their doctors orders and obeying state law,” said Lee. “Last week Justice Stevens suggested that Congress needed to act to change this law, and that is what this amendment is … Continue Reading