Press Releases
Lee, Adams, Booker, and Hirono Introduce the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Alma Adams (NC-12) joined with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) to introduce the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act (REAHYA), which addresses both education and access to care for young people, with a focus on those most impacted by barriers to sex education and sexual health services. Currently, only 29 states and the District of Columbia require sex education, and when sex education is taught, … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds the Passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today voted to pass H.R.1843, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which aims to combat the rise in Anti-Asian hate crimes since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the U.S. grapples with the horrific impacts of the COVID-19, the Asian American community is also facing an alarming rise in anti-Asian violent attacks and discrimination. Since March 2020, Stop AAPI Hate has documented over 6,600 incidents of anti-Asian violence and verbal … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
Pro-Choice Caucus leaders’ statement on Supreme Court decision to hear Mississippi abortion ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court announced today it will soon hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, a case dealing with the constitutionality of a Mississippi law banning almost all abortions after 15 weeks. "We are extremely alarmed and disappointed that the Supreme Court has decided to take up a case that directly challenges the Court's decision in Roe v. Wade," said Pro-Choice Caucus co-chairs U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA). … Continue Reading
May 17, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation Commemorating International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
Washington, DC - Today, on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Vice-Chair and founding member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, reintroduced legislation calling on Congress to recognize the unique challenges members of the LGBTQ+ community face, including violence, homelessness, and health disparities. Anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination continues to impact communities across the country. The Center for American Progress … Continue Reading
May 17, 2021
Lee, DeLauro Statement on Biden Administration’s Release of Additional Vaccines for Global COVID-19 Response
Washington, DC - House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) released the following statement on President Joe Biden's announcement that the United States will provide an additional 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine around the world: "The Biden administration's announcement today is welcome news. We are pleased that the United States is showing leadership in … Continue Reading
May 17, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Remarks Ahead of the 100th Anniversary of Tulsa Greenwood Massacre, Calls for Reparations and a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Commission
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) delivered the following remarks today on the House Floor recognizing the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: Find Congresswoman Lee’s remarks as delivered below: Thank you, Madam Speaker. First let me thank the gentlewoman from New York, for organizing this very important special order and for your tremendous leadership on, on so many issues on behalf of your district, Congressional Black Caucus on … Continue Reading
May 14, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds the Passage of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted to pass H.R.1065, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2021, which prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Over 40 years after the passage of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, many workers continue to face pregnancy discrimination, which can include losing a job, being denied reasonable … Continue Reading
May 11, 2021
Chairwoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on the Ongoing Violence in the Middle East
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement on the ongoing violence in the Middle East: "I condemn the horrific violence in the Middle East in the strongest possible terms and urge both Israelis and Palestinians to act urgently to de-escalate. The US must rapidly work to enable dialogue that can immediately reduce tensions, end the violence, and lead to peace and … Continue Reading
May 11, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Funds to Support the Health of Older Americans in American Rescue Plan
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee applauded the announcement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living releasing $1.4 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan for Older Americans Act programs: "As we mark Older Americans Month this May, it is important to address the disproportionate impact of this pandemic and economic crisis on older Americans, especially in communities of color and medically underserved communities," … Continue Reading
May 10, 2021
Representatives Lee, Cohen, Rush, Hold Forum on the FBI’s COINTELPRO Programs
Virtual event examined the unconstitutional COINTELPRO programs, their continuing impact today, and lessons for policymakers Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13), Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Bobby L. Rush (IL-01) held a virtual forum on J. Edgar Hoover's FBI Counterintelligence Programs (COINTELPRO), recently featured in the Academy Award-winning film "Judas and the Black Messiah" which dramatizes the FBI-orchestrated assassination of Black Panther Party leader Fred … Continue Reading
May 07, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Ongoing Violence in the Middle East
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement on the ongoing violence in the Middle East: "I deplore the recent outbreak of mob violence and the heavy-handed police response in Jerusalem. This has been compounded by repugnant terror attacks by Hamas. The situation is crying out for leadership, and those in charge must rise to the occasion, end the violence and avoid … Continue Reading
May 07, 2021
Lee, Hoyer, Clyburn Introduce Legislation to Remove Bust of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney and Confederate Statues from Public Display in the U.S. Capitol Building
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-05), and House Majority Whip James Clyburn (SC-06) introduced legislation to remove statues or busts of those that served voluntarily in the Confederate States of America from public display in the US Capitol and incorporates Congresswoman Barbara Lee's Confederate Monument Removal Act. In addition to the removal of Confederate statues and busts, the legislation orders the removal of statues of … Continue Reading
May 06, 2021
Lee, Hoyer Announce Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity Vice Chairs
Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair Barbara Lee (CA-13) and House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) announced the selection of five Members to serve as Vice Chairs of the Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity for the 117th Congress. The Members selected for the Vice-Chair position are: Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), Vice-Chair on Children, Families, and Communities Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Vice-Chair on Urban Poverty Rep. Kaiali'i Kahele (HI-02), Vice-Chair on Economic … Continue Reading
May 06, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds HHS Funding to Support Community-Based Workforce to Address Vaccine Equity
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' announcement that through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), approximately $250 million will be invested in developing a community-based workforce to serve as trusted messengers to deliver public health information, increase vaccine confidence, and address barriers to vaccination for vulnerable and medically underserved communities. This program, which mirrors … Continue Reading
May 05, 2021
Members of Congress who Led Push for TRIPS Waiver Applaud Biden Administration Announcement
WASHINGTON - After leading more than half of their Democratic colleagues in pushing for a WTO TRIPS waiver for COVID-19 vaccines, U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Angie Craig (D-MN), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and Andy Levin (D-MI), today released the following statement on President Biden's announcement that the U.S. would support the waiver: "When … Continue Reading
May 05, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Recognizes Cinco De Mayo
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in honor of Cinco De Mayo: "On Cinco de Mayo, we recognize Mexico's remarkable defense against foreign intervention, a feat marked by great courage and self-determination. It is an opportunity for our communities to remember the triumph by the small, outnumbered Mexican army over imperialist forces at the Battle of Puebla and celebrate the contributions that Mexican Americans have made to our nation for centuries. … Continue Reading
May 05, 2021
Reps. Lee and Torres Release Statement on Members of El Salvador’s National Assembly Voting to Dismiss Supreme Court Justices and the Attorney General
WASHINGTON, DC - House State, Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA), the sole Central American serving in Congress and co-Chair of the Congressional Central America Caucus, released the following statement today in response to newly elected members of El Salvador's National Assembly voting to dismiss five supreme court justices and the attorney general. The vote came on the first day in power for a newly elected majority of President … Continue Reading
May 05, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Benefits of Expanded Child Tax Credit for Families in California’s 13th District
An estimated 63 million across the country including 108,600 children in California's 13th Congressional District will directly benefit from the Expanded and Improved Child Tax Credit Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Co-Chair of the Majority Leader's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, amplified recent data released on the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit included the American Rescue Plan, which shows over four million children have the potential to be lifted out of … Continue Reading
May 04, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins Colleagues in Calling for Global Vaccine Access & Swift Waiver Approval
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations released a joint statement alongside Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Jesús García (D-IL), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and Andy Levin (D-MI) calling for a temporary patent waiver for the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines that would allow countries to produce treatments locally and … Continue Reading
May 03, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Heritage Month
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today released the following statement marking the beginning of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: "I join my colleagues in celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by commemorating the contributions and achievements of the Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in the East Bay and across our country. "As a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific … Continue Reading