Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Name Berkeley Post Office After Civil Rights Champion Maudelle Shirek
Congresswoman Gives Floor Statement on Shirek’s BirthdayWashington, DC - Following is the floor statement given by Congresswoman Lee yesterday after introducing legislation that would name the main Berkeley post office the Maudelle Shirek Post Office:"Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to introduce this resolution to honor the Vice Mayor of the City of Berkeley, a great leader for human and civil rights and for peace and disarmament, Councilmember Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek.Today is … Continue Reading
June 17, 2003
Transportation Services Administration Provides Grants for Port of Oakland Security Measures
Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today announced that the Port of Oakland has received $1.6 million from the Transportation Services Administration (TSA) for seaport security. The money will be used for a mobile vehicular traffic barrier system, and it follows on the heels of the first round of TSA grants in 2002. At that time, the Port of Oakland received $4.8 million in grants for an emergency communications system, a seaport video camera surveillance system, and an access … Continue Reading
June 13, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Joint Congressional Black Caucus-Senate Democrats African American Leadership Summit
Several Oakland residents scheduled to participate in forumWASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today announced plans for an African American Leadership Summit with Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members, Senate Democrats and over 250 African American leaders from around the country. The summit will take place on Thursday, June 26 and will include a daylong discussion on issues important to African American families, including jobs and the economy, education, health care, civil … Continue Reading
June 10, 2003
Progressive Caucus To Host Forum On The Pitfalls Of NAFTA
Forum To Be Held Thursday, June 12 at 9 a.m. in 2168 Rayburn The Congressional Progressive Caucus will host a forum on the impact of free trade agreements on American’s working poor Thursday, June 12 at 9:00am in 2168 Rayburn House Office Building. Free trade has eliminated 3 million U.S. jobs, has threatened U.S. industrial workers from unionizing, and has led to the near-extinction of U.S. family farms.America’s working poor -- migrant farm workers, displaced industrial sector and garment … Continue Reading
June 09, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Results from 2003 Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign
Low-income families in the East Bay receive more than $1.8 million in EITC refundsOakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today proudly announced the results of the 2003 Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign (EITC), sponsored by the Alameda County Asset Development Community Partnership, of which Congresswoman Lee is a founding member. Thanks to an effective effort to identify people who had previously not taken advantage of this federal tax break for low-income families, $1,821,321 in … Continue Reading
June 05, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against FCC Ruling On Media Deregulation
Washington, DC - At a press conference today on Monday’s Federal Communications Commission’s decision on media deregulation, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement:“This week’s FCC decision to allow for monopolies in media markets represents a grave day for free speech. It represents a grave day for any American who believes that we benefit from the presentation of a variety of viewpoints on issues, not the few that will be ushered in by the huge media … Continue Reading
June 05, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Peace Stamp
Revenue from stamp would benefit the Peace CorpsWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today introduced The Peace Stamp Act, which calls for the creation of a stamp, the revenues from which would send money to the Peace Corps. Similar to the successful breast cancer stamp, the proposed “peace stamp” would sell at a slightly higher rate than the normal 37 cents in order to generate revenue above the Postal Service’s operating costs.Lee introduced the stamp to provide funding for the … Continue Reading
June 04, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Co-Sponsors Resolution of Inquiry to Demand Release of U.S. Intelligence on Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today signed on as a co-sponsor of a resolution of inquiry demanding the release of U.S. intelligence that provided supposed justification for the invasion of Iraq. The rarely-used procedure requires the House committee to which the resolution is assigned to respond within 14 days. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) will introduce the resolution tomorrow.Lee said, “The American people deserve to know the truth. The Bush Administration told the … Continue Reading
June 03, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Co-sponsors Bill to Give Tax Relief to Working Families Left Out of Bush Tax Cut Bill
Republicans cut out working families at last minute to make room for tax cuts for millionairesWashington, DC -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today became a co-sponsor of H.R. 2286, which would expand the child tax credit and provide marriage penalty relief to working families left out of the recently signed White House-supported tax law. The bill would include an expansion of the refundable child credit, expand the refundable child credit for the families of military serving in Iraq and … Continue Reading
June 03, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Proposed Flag Desecration Amendment
Measure would limit free speechWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on today’s House of Representatives vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration of the flag:“I will not vote for any constitutional amendment that undermines the First Amendment, which, as the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed, protects even unpopular forms of dissent. Our founding fathers well knew the importance of free speech and expression, and … Continue Reading
May 29, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Bernie Sanders Join Forces in Bay Area To Call for Passage of the Freedom to Read Act
Lee and Sanders to participate in KPFA call-in show from 7-9 p.m. tonight on next week’s expected Federal Communications Commission ruling permitting media monopoliesOakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) held two Bay Area events highlighting the need for greater civil liberties under a Bush Administration that continues to tear away at the fundamental rights of Americans. At the San Francisco Public Library, Lee and Sanders held a … Continue Reading
May 27, 2003
President Bush Signs Global AIDS Bill
Co-sponsor Lee disappointed in social conservatives' provision for specified abstinence funding Washington, DC - In a ceremony today at the State Department, President George W. Bush signed the Global HIV/AIDS bill, the $15 billion U.S. Leadership against Global Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, co-sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA). For the most part, H.R. 1298 provides a comprehensive and balanced approach to fighting the AIDS pandemic by supporting a variety of … Continue Reading
May 21, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Praises Final Passage of AIDS Bill
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today applauded the passage of H.R. 1298, the $15 billion U.S. Leadership against Global Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, by the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 1298, which Lee sponsored, is largely structured to provide a comprehensive and balanced approach to fighting the AIDS pandemic by supporting a variety of prevention methods, emphasizing care and treatment of infected individuals, funding vaccine research and … Continue Reading
May 21, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Congressional Record Statement on Opposing National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1588.This bill spends in excess of $400 billion, much of it for Cold War-era programs, redundant weapons systems, and a missile defense system that will once again siphon off $9 billion in resources that won’t go to education, healthcare, economic growth, or homeland security.Everyone in this room cares about national security. We are all concerned that once again this nation is at code orange, a term we didn’t even know a few years ago. But … Continue Reading
May 20, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Condemns So-Called Healthy Forest Restoration Act
Bill instructs courts to give preference to bureaucratsWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today blasted the passage of the Republican so-called Healthy Forest Restoration Act, H.R. 1904, which will jeopardize not only national forests but also tilt court decisions in favor of government agencies. The far-reaching implications of H.R. 1904 have sparked opposition from a diverse coalition, including national environmental, civil rights, disability, and women’s organizations.H.R. … Continue Reading
May 20, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Supports Public Safety Ex-Offender Self-Sufficiency Act
Washington, DC - In support of the Public Safety Ex-Offender Self-Sufficiency Act of 2003 today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement:“We recognize that crime is a serious problem. However, approximately 630,000 offenders were released back into our communities last year from the nation’s prisons and jails. Far too many will struggle to find housing, jobs, or the means to move forward with their lives.”“This bill would provide incentives for state and local … Continue Reading
May 16, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee objects to unauthorized use of name in advertisement in New York Times
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today expressed her dismay that her name had appeared in an advertisement in the May 14, 2003 edition of the New York Times, paid for by the organizers of a June Teach-in to Congress on Middle East issues. Congresswoman Lee stated that she was disappointed by the use of her name by Tikkun without consultation. The ad promoted the event and the legislative agenda of the group. Contrary to the implication of the ad, she was never scheduled to … Continue Reading
May 15, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces House Resolution Calling on the President to Urge G-8 Countries To Contribute to Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Calls for more money for Global Fund
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today introduced a resolution calling on President Bush to encourage members of the G-8 and representatives of the European Union to pledge a “substantial amount” of money to fight against global AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to complement the recent commitment of the United States to spend $15 billion in the next five years.“Back in 1998 when I was first elected to Congress, we already knew that AIDS in combination with tuberculosis was … Continue Reading
May 14, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Federal Communication Commission’s Reported Deregulation of Media Ownership Rules
Under new rules, a company could monopolize media outlets in a single marketWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today joined colleagues in blasting the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) reported decision to deregulate media ownership rules so that a single company could own all media organizations - print, television, and radio - in any market. Current FCC rules protect against companies owning multiple organizations within a single market. Earlier this year, Lee and 30 … Continue Reading
May 05, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Public Housing Drug Elimination Act
Bill Would Restore Program Not Funded By BushWashington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today introduced legislation that would provide much-needed funding for safer, quality public housing. The Public Housing Drug Elimination Act of 2003 would reauthorize and fund the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program (PHDEP), whose funding President Bush eliminated in Fiscal Year 03. Bush also eliminated funding for the PHDEP in FY 02, although Democrats were able to restore $310 million for … Continue Reading