Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Disappointed by Continued Job Loss under Bush Administration
California Loses 16,000 more Jobs in SeptemberWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today said that she was disappointed that the state of California continues to lose jobs, according to the latest state unemployment figures. In September, the state lost 16,000 more jobs, bringing to 298,200 the number of jobs that have been lost since January 2001, when President Bush took office. Nationwide, more than 2.7 million jobs have been lost under the Bush Administration. The California … Continue Reading
October 20, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Introduce Adjournment Resolution Tomorrow
Resolution Calls for Congress to Address the WMD Question Before AdjourningWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee tomorrow will introduce a congressional resolution calling for Congress to refuse to adjourn until an independent commission or select committee is established to investigate whether Administration officials misled or manipulated Congress, the American public, and the international community about Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) intelligence. Time and time again, President … Continue Reading
October 20, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Non-Adjournment Resolution Today
Resolution Calls for Congress Not to Adjourn until Bush Administration Failures on WMD is Investigated by Independent PanelWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today introduced a congressional resolution calling on Congress to refuse adjournment until an independent commission or select committee to investigate the Administration’s use of WMD intelligence in justifying the war against Iraq is established. Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) has previously introduced a bill calling … Continue Reading
October 20, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Co-Sponsors the Health Care Equality and Accountability Act of 2003
Washington, DC - For a press conference today that introduced the Health Care Equality and Accountability Act of 2003, comprehensive and ambitious legislation that will improve the health and healthcare of minority populations while simultaneously eliminating health and healthcare disparities based on race, ethnicity, and primary language, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today issued the following statement:“I am proud to join the membership of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Hispanic … Continue Reading
October 16, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins Congressional Black Caucus Members in Opposing President Bush’s Nomination of California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown to the D.C. Court of Appeals
Washington, DC - Joining her Congressional Black Caucus colleagues in a press conference challenging the nomination of California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown on the basis of protecting civil liberties and rights, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today issued the following statement:“Now, more than ever, Americans are seeing their civil liberties under siege. In California, the attack has been especially severe. In our recent election, we have just defeated Proposition 54, a … Continue Reading
October 16, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds 125 Votes Against President Bush’s $87 Billion Appropriations Package for Iraq
Number of “no” votes is 10 times larger than the votes on the first Iraq installmentWashington, DC - Rallying Democratic forces to oppose President Bush’s latest installment on the war in Iraq, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) spearheaded an effort to send a message to the President that his policy against Iraq is fundamentally flawed. Although only 12 Members of Congress, including Lee, voted against Bush’s first request of $78 billion package in April, today’s tally included 125 … Continue Reading
October 16, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Offers $1 Billion Amendment for AIDS Funding as Part of $87 Billion Supplemental Appropriation
Amendment Rejected Twice by RepublicansWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today attempted to provide an amendment to the $87 billion supplemental appropriations package that would have added $1 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.The additional money would have met the funding appropriations for AIDS that President Bush has called for, but has yet to deliver on. In his State of the Union Address this year, President Bush declared himself to be a … Continue Reading
October 15, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Global Fund Decision to Avoid Bush Administration’s Delay Attempt and Proceed with Fourth Round of Funding Grants
Letter from Legislators to Secretary Thompson Instrumental in Avoiding Delay Washington, DC - Despite an attempt by the Bush Administration to delay the fourth round of Global Fund grants to fight AIDS, TB, and malaria, the Executive Board of the Global Fund agreed today in a meeting in Thailand to initiate a call for the next round of grants on January 10, 2004. The Administration retreated after AIDS groups publicly questioned the Administration’s commitment to advocating for AIDS funding. … Continue Reading
October 15, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Awarding of $700,000 Economic Development Administration Grant to EBCRC Revolving Loan Fund
Media OpportunityDate:Tuesday, October 21, 2003 Time:8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast provided 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. - Check Presentation Ceremony Place:The Rotunda Building, 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA Press can confirm their participation by contacting the EBCRC office at 510-628-0605.Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration will award a $700,000 grant to the East Bay Conversion … Continue Reading
October 15, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Leads Press Conference Against President Bush’s $87 Billion Supplemental Appropriations
Vote on Bill Expected Tonight Washington, DC - With opposition to President Bush’s latest installment on the war in Iraq mounting, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today led a press conference that brought together a coalition of Democrats opposed to the President’s appropriations request. Although only 12 Members of Congress voted against Bush’s first request of $78 billion package, including Lee, that number is expected to be dramatically higher when the vote occurs today. Yesterday, … Continue Reading
October 14, 2003
Congressional Black Caucus Announces Opposition to President Bush’s $87 Billion Supplemental Appropriations Request
Congresswoman Lee Issues Statement on Opposing Bush’s Request. “I oppose this $87 billion installment payment for the war against Iraq. Like all of my CBC colleagues, I support our troops. As the daughter of a career Army officer, I could do nothing less. My hearts and prayers go out to our troops and their families. I want to see them safe at home and reunited as soon as possible.”“In the meantime, I want them to have the health benefits they deserve, the bulletproof vests they need, and … Continue Reading
October 07, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks at National Coalition for the Homeless Conference Rally
Calls for Passage of Bring America Home Act Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement for the National Coalition for the Homeless Conference’s rally to support the Bring America Home Act.“Thanks to the National Coalition for the Homeless, Congressman Conyers, and Congresswoman Carson for sponsoring this event, and a special thanks to the housing advocates who are here today to send the message to the Bush Administration that we must end … Continue Reading
October 02, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Disappointed With Loss of Manufacturing Jobs in September Unemployment Report
Unemployment Rate for African Americans Also IncreasesWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today expressed concern with the Department of Labor’s September national unemployment figures. Even though the figure included a slight increase overall, the report showed that manufacturing lost jobs for 37 consecutive months and the unemployment rate for African-Americans actually rose three-tenths of a percentage point.Today’s September unemployment report showed an overall increase of … Continue Reading
October 01, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on the Arrival of Immigrant Workers Freedom Riders
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today issued a statement on the arrival of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Riders, an event that brought immigrant workers to Washington to highlight the struggles that immigrant workers face across the country deal. The event was sponsored by a large coalition of religious groups, labor unions, immigrant advocates, and civil rights organizations, including political groups such as the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific … Continue Reading
September 28, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Pete Stark Observe National Port Security Day
Call on Bush Administration to Take Seriously the Protection of PortsWashington, DC - Pointing to a lack of Presidential commitment to address security concerns at our nation’s ports, Democrats across the country marked Monday as National Port Security Day. Joining in the chorus of voices advocating for more funding, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) called the Administration’s handling of port security empty rhetoric.“Much like his commitment to the No Child … Continue Reading
September 25, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Receives Black Women’s Agenda Legislative Award
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today received the Black Women’s Agenda Legislative Award. The award was presented at BWA’s 26th Annual Luncheon and Workshop.The BWA called Lee’s legislative work exemplary, applauding her for “outstanding and distinguished service to your district and the nation and for your courageous stand concerning Congressional approval of armed conflict.” The BWA will also be honoring Lee in the next issue of The BWA Report.“I am honored to receive the … Continue Reading
September 24, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Supports Wexler Resolution of Inquiry on WMD Intelligence
Resolution Would Require President Bush to Release Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Report Criticizing Bush Administration’s WMD PoliciesWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), today with House International Relations Committee (HIRC) colleagues, called on the Bush Administration to send to Congress a report drafted last month for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The report, entitled “Operation Iraqi Freedom Strategic Lessons Learned,” was compiled from a series of interviews with senior U.S. … Continue Reading
September 23, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Supports Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act
Bill Would Repeal Sections of President Bush’s Patriot ActWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued a statement today on the Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act, which would repeal many of the egregious and invasive civil liberty violations of President Bush’s Patriot Act. The bill includes provisions to eliminate the Patriot Act’s arbitrary search-and-seizure provision, unwarranted incarcerations, and the possibility of federal officials searching students’ educational records without … Continue Reading
September 22, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Response to President Bush’s Address to the United Nations
“President Bush today went to the United Nations to condemn terrorism, to applaud democracy, and to call on the world community to rebuild Iraq, reduce the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and combat AIDS and other global calamities. However, Bush Administration policies have failed to advance these goals. The Doctrine of Preemption has made the world more dangerous, rather than more secure. The President now seeks U.N. involvement in Iraq without giving the U.N. the political … Continue Reading
September 21, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls on President to be More of a Friend to Small Business Owners
Votes for 50th Anniversary Resolution for Small Business Administration Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today spoke out about the need to provide more support for American small business owners. Lee, who voted for a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Small Business Administration, said today that, particularly at a time when the economy is in a downward spiral, small businesses and small business owners need the support of the Bush Administration. “Small … Continue Reading