Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement in Opposition to HR 534, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act February 27, 2003
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 534. This bill’s title claims that it is designed to prohibit human cloning. The reality is it will do much more: it will stifle crucial medical research that might someday cure diseases such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s.None of us support human cloning. We all see such a step as ethically reckless and medically unsound. The cloning and creation of human beings should be banned.But this bill goes much further. It … Continue Reading
February 27, 2003
MEDIA ADVISORY
Who: Rep. Barbara Lee, Member of CongressWhat: Bus Tour with AC Transit. Community Leaders and Elected Officials of Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland and Fairview have been invited to attend.When: Friday, Feb. 28, 2003 from 10:30 a.m.-noon.Where: Begins and ends at the site of the new Castro Valley Library (on Norbridge Road between Castro Valley Blvd. and Redwood Road -- across the street from the Castro Valley BART Station.) The tour will cover local points of interest, as recommended by … Continue Reading
February 27, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Chosen As Member of Identity Theft and Financial Crimes Task Force
Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California) today was selected by Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-Oregon) to be a member of a newly-created task force that will investigate financial crimes, including identity theft, the fastest-growing white-collar crime in America. Congresswoman Hooley will chair the task force, which is comprised of several House Financial Services Committee Democrats.The task force will negotiate with the Committee’s Republican members and the Bush … Continue Reading
February 26, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Earns 100% Grade from National Parks Conservation Association; Receives "Friend of the National Parks" Award
Washington, DC - Today, in a ceremony at the Capitol, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California) received the "Friend of the National Parks" award from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). The "Friend of the National Parks" award is based solely on a member’s 107th Congress voting record on legislation that upholds the standards and integrity of the National Park System.Lee received a perfect score on her environmental record from the NPCA. Lee was one of only … Continue Reading
February 20, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Receives 100% Grade on Congressional Scorecard from Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California) received a perfect score on her legislative record from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) for her votes during the 107th Congress. The "Congressional Scorecard" was recently released.In every legislative vote tracked by LCCR, Lee voted for extending basic civil rights. The LCCR score included 12 votes ranging from exempting U.S. Customs officials from illegal searches to ensuring the rights of workers to … Continue Reading
February 14, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Comments on Hans Blix's Presentation at the United Nations
"What I've heard today does nothing to change my mind about the importance of inspections and the need for them to continue. I believe that Hans Blix and his inspectors should be provided the opportunity to continue their job." -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee … Continue Reading
February 13, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Funding for Port Of Oakland and Other 9th Congressional District Projects
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today applauded news that the FY 03 omnibus budget passed tonight by the House of Representatives includes more than $12 million in funding for the 50-foot dredging project for the Port of Oakland and $11.2 million for the Port’s channel maintenance dredging. The bill now goes to the Senate.The Port of Oakland dredging projects are the underpinning of the largest maritime expansion in the history of the Port of Oakland. The project is expected to … Continue Reading
February 13, 2003
Lee and Kucinich Fight for Patsy Mink Memorial TANF Reauthorization Act
Joint Statement of Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Kucinich and LeeWashington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) challenged the Republican leadership’s draconian TANF Reauthorization Act today by attempting to substitute The Patsy Mink Memorial TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) Reauthorization Act, which would have restored welfare as a means to self-sufficiency.Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), along … Continue Reading
February 12, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Offers the Patsy Mink Memorial TANF Reauthorization Act as a Substitute Amendment to Republican Welfare Bill: Debate To Occur on House Floor Tomorrow
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) has just learned that the Patsy Mink Memorial TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) Reauthorization Act has been accepted by the House Rules Committee as a substitute amendment to the Republican welfare bill. Lee and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) reintroduced legislation that had been a hallmark of the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink’s legislative career. Mink (D-HI), who passed away last year, was recognized as an expert on … Continue Reading
February 10, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Outraged at House Republicans’ Plans to Ram Through Welfare Reform Bill: Limited Debate and No Hearings
Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee today expressed outrage over news that the House Republican leadership plans to bring legislative reauthorization of the Temporary Access to Needy Families Act (TANF), or Welfare Reform, directly to the House floor this week. In so doing, they are bypassing Committee hearings and limiting floor debate.The Republican leadership has recently hailed TANF as a "huge success," even though welfare caseloads have increased dramatically and … Continue Reading
February 07, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee's Statement Regarding National Black HIV/AIDS Day
Today, more than ever, we must all come together to engage in a frank and open discussion about sex and HIV/AIDS in the African American community.Although we only represent 12% of the population, African Americans make up 38% of all AIDS cases reported in the United States. That 38% represented, at the end of 2000, a total of 292,522 cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the statistics for African American women reflect an even starker situation. In 2001, over 7,000 African … Continue Reading
February 07, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Former Congressman Ronald V. Dellums To Be Honored at East Bay Conversion and Reinvestment Commission’s Ten-Year Anniversary Gala Dinner
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Former Congressman Ronald V. Dellums will be honored at the East Bay Conversion and Reinvestment Commission’s (EBCRC) 10-Year Anniversary Gala Dinner on Saturday, February 8 at the Hilton Oakland Airport. A reception, silent auction, and art sale will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7 p.m. Both Congresswoman Lee and Congressman Dellums will be on hand for the event.The non-profit EBCRC will also pay special tribute to Wanda Anita … Continue Reading
February 05, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Co-Sponsors Legislation to Repeal Authorization of War Against Iraq
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California) today joined with colleagues in the introduction of legislation that would repeal last year’s Congressional authorization of war against Iraq. The resolution reverses the decision to give President Bush unlimited powers to wage war against Iraq, which Lee opposed.The resolution echoes Lee’s efforts last fall to utilize diplomatic measures, including inspections and containment, to disarm Iraq, rather than resorting to war. In … Continue Reading
February 03, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Declares President Bush’s FY 04 Plan the Worst Budget in Decades; Bush’s Proposal Sends Country Back Into Deep Deficits While Cutting Taxes for Wealthy
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California) expressed serious disappointment about President Bush’s FY 2004 Budget, which was released today. In order to clear the way for a $640 billion tax cut and steep increases in defense spending, Bush’s plan would slash education and human services and low-income housing.The FY ‘04 budget also represents a return to steep budget deficits. Two years ago, the budget surplus was $5.6 trillion, but just two budget cycles under Bush, the Bush … Continue Reading
February 01, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on the Tragic Death of the Columbia Astronauts
Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee today issued a statement on the Columbia Space Shuttle accident:"My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those astronauts who tragically lost their lives in the Columbia Space Shuttle. My sympathy also goes out to the nation of Israel in the loss of its first astronaut. May the memories and heroic efforts of these men and women remind us of the courage, vision, and risks taken by so many selfless human … Continue Reading
January 31, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hopes that Thompson Nomination Will Provide Much-needed Money for Global AIDS, TB and Malaria Fund
Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who was instrumental in the creation of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, responded to the expected nomination of Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson as Chairman of the Global Fund. The framework for a Global Trust Fund to provide funding for countries decimated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic was first introduced by Lee and Congressman James Leach, in the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, and … Continue Reading
January 29, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressional Black Caucus Address President Bush’s Global HIV/AIDS Proposal Given in State of the Union
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined with her Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) colleagues in a press conference on Global HIV/AIDS. Much of the discussion centered around President Bush’s HIV/AIDS proposal, which he made in last night’s State of the Union address and one that the CBC has aggressively pushed for several years.Lee, Chair of the CBC’s Task Force on HIV/AIDS and the author of a joint CBC December letter to Bush that called for dramatically increased … Continue Reading
January 28, 2003
Congresswoman Lee and Progressive Caucus Deliver Alternative State of the Union
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, led their colleagues in delivering an Alternative State of the Union address, offering a perspective on America and a prescription for its future that is markedly different from the one President Bush is expected to give tonight.Members of the Progressive Caucus, the largest single caucus in the House Democratic Caucus with over 50 members, … Continue Reading
January 27, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against President Bush’s Efforts to Gut Affirmative Action
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California) today joined with her Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in opposing the Bush Administration’s opposition to the University of Michigan’s affirmative action admissions policy. Lee’s comments came following a CBC press conference where CBC members underscored the importance of maintaining affirmative action policies.“President Bush’s decision to oppose the University of Michigan’s carefully-constructed admissions policies take our country in the wrong … Continue Reading
January 27, 2003
Congresswoman Barbara Lee To Appear Tomorrow Morning on C-Span’s Washington Journal to Promote Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Alternative State of the Union
What:Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-California) on C-Span’s Washington JournalWhen:Tuesday, January 28 from 9-9:30 ESTDiscussion:Promoting the Progressive Caucus’ Alternative State of the Union (to be delivered tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. in 1539 Longworth House Office Building) … Continue Reading