Press Releases
REP. LEE CALLS ON REPUBLICANS TO JOIN DEMOCRATS IN REJECTING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT CUTS
Oakland, CA - Today, Rep. Barbara Lee rejected the latest Republican proposal to cut Social Security benefits for today’s workers. This morning, the White House held a press event to try to build support for its proposal to cut Social Security benefits by more than 40 percent in the coming decades. “If the Republican plan to cut benefits by more than 40 percent were in place today, retirees in California would see their monthly benefits drop by $393, making their total annual benefit only … Continue Reading
January 05, 2005
STATEMENT FROM BARBARA LEE ON ELECTION REFORM AND THE CHALLENGE OF OHIO ELECTORS
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined with Representatives John Conyers (D-MI), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) and Senator Barbara Boxer in formally challenging the certification of the electoral votes of Ohio and gave the following statement on the floor of the House: “Mr. Speaker I rise to object to the certification of Ohio’s electoral vote. “This is not Deja-vu. The Supreme Court did not appoint President Bush this time as it did in 2000. But again, in 2004 the … Continue Reading
December 10, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges Provisional Treatment of Ohio Electors Pending Results of Recount and Challenges
Washington , DC - Citing voting irregularities in Ohio and the obligation to ensure every vote counts, today Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined her colleagues, including Representative John Conyers (D-MI), in requesting Ohio's Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate, treat as provisional the scheduled December 13 meeting of the State of Ohio's 2004 Presidential electors and the submission of the certificates of ascertainment until resolution of pending recounts and challenges … Continue Reading
December 07, 2004
CalPers Acts to Stop Genocide in Sudan
Pension Fund Responds to Request from Congresswoman Barbara Lee Washington, DC - Responding to a letter from Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and congressional colleagues, CalPers acted Monday to begin moving away from companies that are engaged in business with the Sudanese government. Mark Anson, Chief Investment Officer, sent a letter to all companies and fund managers, asking them to advise CalPers as to whether their company did business with the government in Khartoum. The letter … Continue Reading
December 05, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Re-Elected As Whip of Congressional Black Caucus
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today was re-elected Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) by unanimous consent of her colleagues.The Congressional Black Caucus Whip helps develop strategy, count votes, gather and distribute information among the CBC members. Once again, Congresswoman Lee will join the CBC elected leadership, including the newly elected Chairman, Mel Watt (D-NC), in garnering support for key legislation and bringing members of the CBC together in support of a … Continue Reading
December 01, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Announcement of Troop Increase in Iraq
Washington, DC- Responding to the announcement yesterday that the American military presence in Iraq will grow by 12,000 troops to nearly 150,000, the highest levels since the invasion last year, Congresswoman Lee issued the following statement: “The Bush administration’s decision yesterday to increase by 12,000 the troop levels in Iraq is the latest example of just how ill-advised and ill-prepared the President’s march to war has been. “Unfortunately, the President’s bungling in Iraq … Continue Reading
November 30, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins in Press Conference Detailing Plans for Bringing Pandas to Oakland Zoo
Calls Pandas a positive economic force for Oakland Oakland , CA - At a press conference with Vice Mayor Henry Chang, the Director of the Oakland Zoo, and several Chinese officials, Congresswoman Lee issued the following statement: “I am truly proud and honored to have been a part of the efforts which have brought us here today. “The pandas will help boost tourism to Oakland , and provide a vital resource by which our school children can explore the world of animals. “Acquiring these … Continue Reading
November 30, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on World Aids Day
Oakland, CA -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Task Force on Global HIV/AIDS and the senior Democratic Woman on the House International Relations Committee, released the following statement today on World AIDS Day: “Today on World AIDS Day, we stand together in solidarity to remember the tens of millions around the world who have died since the beginning of this horrible pandemic. And here in Alameda County, we remember the nearly 4000 men, women and … Continue Reading
November 21, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces 9th Congressional District Appropriations Projects
Unable to Support Fundamentally Flawed & Expansive Spending BillWashington , DC- Following House passage of the Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced today that California ’s 9th Congressional District received more than $38 million in funding in the appropriations package. Among the appropriations, the Port of Oakland would receive $27.5 million in funding for its ongoing 50-foot dredging project. The Port would also receive an additional … Continue Reading
November 16, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Blasts Administration Plans to Delay Grants for Global AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Letter Urges Secretary Thompson to Support Further FundingWashington, DC - Responding to recent press reports describing determined U.S. opposition to a further round of grants from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Congresswoman Barbara Lee along with seven of her colleagues sent the following letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, who also serves as Chairman of the Global Fund Board: Dear Secretary Thompson: We write to you in advance of the … Continue Reading
November 16, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Dr. John Searle Recipient of 2004 National Humanities Medal
Attends White House Medal Ceremony Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today attended a White House ceremony honoring the 2004 Humanities Medal winners, including University of California at Berkeley professor, Dr. John Searle.Dr. Searle received his Ph.D. in philosophy at Oxford University and is currently the Mills Professor of the Philosophy of Mind and Language at the University of California at Berkeley.Professor Searle is best known for his critique of computationalism and … Continue Reading
October 19, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $81,000 Grant for Women’s Initiative for Self Employment in Oakland
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today announced that the Women’s Initiative for Self Employment in Oakland will receive a $81,000 sustainability grant from the U.S. Small Business AdministrationWomen's Initiative for Self Employment (WI), a Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center (WBC), provides business training and technical assistance in English and Spanish to low-income women in the Bay Area. The English language program consists of a 2-week business … Continue Reading
October 17, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates 32nd Anniversary of the Clean Water Act
Decries Bush Administration for Attempts to Undermine Landmark Legislation Washington, DC - In recognition of the anniversary of the Clean Water Act today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement.“Thirty-two years ago today, the Federal government undertook an important national commitment to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of our nation’s waters,” said Lee. “And since the modern Clean Water Act came into existence, I’m proud to say … Continue Reading
October 11, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Urges GAO Investigation of Reported Voting Irregularities in 2004 Election
Advocates for Vigorous Defense of Voting RightsWashington , DC - Calling for a swift and comprehensive investigation, Congresswoman Barbara Lee today requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) formally undertake an investigation of widespread reports regarding voting irregularities during the presidential election of 2004.“The right to vote and the right to have our votes counted are both fundamental to our democratic system of government,” said Lee. “As elected representatives of … Continue Reading
October 04, 2004
Congresswoman Lee Votes Against Bill to Reinstate the Draft
Admonishes House Republican Leadership for Playing Election Year Politics Washington, DC- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted against H.R. 163, the Universal National Service Act. The bill was defeated by a vote of 401-2.Congresswoman Lee, a staunch and vocal opponent of the draft, issued the following statement:“There is little doubt that our military is overextended right now because of the immoral and unnecessary war in Iraq. We know the problems of recruitment and retention are real … Continue Reading
October 03, 2004
House Passes Congresswoman Lee’s Resolution Urging Assistance for Hurricane Devastated Caribbean Countries
Washington, DC - Last night, by voice vote, the House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Lee’s bi-partisan resolution, H. Con. Res. 496, calling for the United States to support relief and reconstruction efforts for Caribbean islands ravaged by recent hurricanes.The region was attacked by four hurricanes - Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne -- in five weeks. The Administration has proposed a $50 million emergency supplemental appropriation to assist the region. “This is a good, small - … Continue Reading
September 30, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Receive KPFA’s Integrity Award
Oakland, California- On October 3 rd, radio station KPFA 94.1 will honor Congresswoman Barbara Lee with their Integrity Award. First Unitarian Church of Oakland will host the ceremony, where Congresswoman Lee, other award recipients and public officials will gather for the awards dinner. Other award recipients include Michael Franti, Father Bill O’Donnell, and Medea Benjamin. KPFA presents Peace and Justice Awards to local leaders who resist and question dangerous politics of aggression and … Continue Reading
September 28, 2004
Barbara Lee Receives Petitions to Repeal Patriot Act Provision
Calls for restoring freedom to readWashington, DC - Congresswoman Lee joined Congressman Bernie Sanders at a press conference today to receive petitions, gathered at bookstores and libraries nationwide, urging the repeal of Section 215 of the Patriot Act. Section 215 of the Patriot Act gives the FBI access to "books, records, papers, documents and other items" when the agency gets a warrant from a special secret federal anti-terrorism court. Library or bookstore staff who reveal that … Continue Reading
September 22, 2004
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hails New Report Demonstrating California’s Ineffective Three Strikes Law
Renews Call for Repeal of LawWashington, DC - In response to a report released today by the Justice Policy Institute (JPI), which found that California, the only state in which any felony can trigger a life sentence as a third strike, uses the strike policy much more frequently than other states and that violent crime has dropped more in states not enacting three strikes laws than states with Three Strikes, the Congresswoman issued the following statement: “This report shows that, on Three … Continue Reading
September 22, 2004
Support for Lee-Sanders-Capuano Discharge Petition for Housing Bill Passes 100
Lee calls for action on the bill before Congress adjournsWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee convened a press conference today to push members of the House to sign a discharge petition for National Housing Trust Fund legislation in order to force action on the bill, which the House Republican leadership has long refused to schedule for floor consideration. National Housing Trust Fund legislation (H.R. 1102) was first introduced in the House in 2001, and it passed the Financial Services … Continue Reading