Press Releases
Congresswoman Lee Joins Chibok Girls to Say “Bring Back Our Girls”
April 14, 2015Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee participated in a press conference marking the one year anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 girls in Chibok, Nigeria by Boko Haram. The press conference, which called for renewed efforts to find the Chibok girls, included two survivors of the kidnapping who escaped last year. “It’s been a heartbreaking year since the Chibok girls were kidnapped. Their families are still living in terrible uncertainty. They are left wondering if they will e… Continue Reading
Report on Economic Challenges in Black Community is “Our Call to Action,” says Congresswoman Lee
April 13, 2015Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following on the newly released Joint Economic Committee report on the Persistent Economic Challenges in Black Community: “Today’s Joint Economic Committee (JEC) report paints a bleak picture of the economic state of the African American community and reminds us that more action is needed to ensure our economic recovery reaches everyone. With today’s report, I am reminded of an April 14th, 1967 speech that Dr. King gave entitled “Two Americas.” … Continue Reading
Removing Cuba from State Sponsor of Terrorism List is “Long Overdue,” says Congresswoman Lee
April 13, 2015Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement after President Obama transmitted to Congress a certification of the Proposed Rescission of Cuba’s Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism: “I am pleased that President Obama will be removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List. This action is long overdue and is an important step toward fully normalizing relations with Cuba. Along with many of my colleagues, I have long called for Cuba to be removed from t… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Marks Equal Pay Day, Calls for Renewed Effort to Ensure Equal Pay for Equal Work
April 12, 2015Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement recognizing Equal Pay Day. The day, April 14th, symbolizes when the average woman’s paycheck finally catch up to men’s paychecks from the previous year. “In 2015, equal pay for equal work should be a reality. Yet millions of women still experience institutionalized sexism with every paycheck. For every dollar a man earns, women earn just 78 cents. For women of color that situation is even worse. On average, … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Returns from Participating in the Summit of the Americas
April 11, 2015Washington, DC - Last week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) traveled to Panama City to participate in the 7th Summit of the Americas. This was the first Summit in which Cuba participated. During the Summit, President Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro. “Along with many of my colleagues, I have long called for both the U.S. and Cuba to participate in the Summit of the Americas. It is an important step toward fully normalizing relations with Cuba,” said Congresswoman Lee. Th… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Marks National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
April 09, 2015Oakland, CA - Each year, on April 10th, Congress marks National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This year’s theme is “Engaging Youth Voices in the Response to HIV & AIDS.” “National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an important way to increase awareness about HIV and its impact on young people in this country,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee, co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 10,000 young people … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee: Recommendation to Remove Cuba from State Sponsor of Terrorism List is “An Important Step Forward to Fully Normalizing Relations”
April 08, 2015Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement in response to the State Department’s recommendation that Cuba be removed from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List: “I am pleased to see the State Department’s recommendation encouraging the removal of Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List. This action is an important step forward to fully normalizing relations. Along with many of my colleagues, I have long called for Cuba to be removed from this list. In Decemb… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Announces Millions in Federal Grants to the East Bay
April 06, 2015Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced more than $7.4 million in federal grants to the East Bay. More than $4 million will support nutrition programs that fight food insecurity in the East Bay. “I would like to congratulate the Berkeley Ecology Center and Mandela MarketPlace on their National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grants. This federal grant helps ensure a vital avenue for access to healthy food in our community,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Berkeley Ecolog… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Remembers the Life and Legacy of Dr. Gardner C. Taylor
April 05, 2015Oakland, CA -Congresswoman Lee issued the following statement on the passing of Civil Rights legend and icon, Dr. Gardner C. Taylor. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Gardner C. Taylor. He was icon in the Civil Rights Movement and a renowned faith leader. He was a prophetic preacher that was unwavering in his stance to speak truth to power. Dr. Taylor’s voice was reverenced across our nation. He understood the needs of the people and his accomplishments are reflective of that t… Continue Reading
Iran Deal is "Important Achievement," says Congresswoman Barbara Lee
April 01, 2015Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on news of a framework agreement between the P5+1 and Iran to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon: “If fully implemented, today’s framework agreement would prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon, enhance our national security and show that diplomacy works. This is a major step forward for diplomacy, national security and global peace. This type of smart, strategic diplomacy brings us closer to a more peaceful and secure world while p… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Says GOP Budget Means Less Education for California's Kids
March 31, 2015Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Lee held a press conference to discuss the disastrous implications of the GOP Budget on East Bay families. The budget makes severe cuts to Head Start programs as well as K-12 and higher education. Congresswoman Lee was joined by Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Antwan Wilson, City of Oakland Head Start Division Manager Usana Hopkins and Peralta College Board of Trustees President Meredith Brown. The GOP Budget would kick more than 4,500 stu… Continue Reading
UN Memorial Confronts Our Painful History and the Legacy of Slavery
March 24, 2015Washington DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement commemorating the unveiling of the Permanent Memorial to Honor the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations: “The legacy of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade is a brutal, inhumane and immoral stain on the history of the U.S. and the collective history of humankind. The horrors of the Middle Passage, during which thousands died, and the inhumanity of American slavery cannot be forgotten or… Continue Reading
"It's Past Time for Our Brave Servicemen and Women to Come Home," Says Congresswoman Lee on Slowed Withdrawal of U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
March 23, 2015Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on the plan to keep 9,800 American servicemen and women in Afghanistan through 2016: “After more than a decade of open-ended war, it’s past time for our brave servicemen and women to come home. I am deeply troubled by this new plan to maintain nearly 10,000 American troops in Afghanistan through 2016. Military and foreign policy experts agree that there is no military solution in Afghanistan; a political solution is the … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Calls on Congress to Prevent Sale of Historic US Postal Buildings
March 19, 2015Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced legislation to halt the sale and consolidation of historic US Postal Service facilities. The Moratorium on US Historic Postal Buildings Act would prevent USPS from selling any facility until all buildings listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places are removed from the auction block. “These historic post offices are an irreplaceable part of our nation’s history. They belong to the American people,” s… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Marks National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 19, 2015Washington, D.C. - Since 2007, National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed each year on the first day of Spring. The day began as a way to increase local and global awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indian and Alaska Native people. “The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to affect all of our communities, including American Indians and Alaska Natives. While we are seeing lower rates of new infections within these communities, we must continue to ensure that the culturally a… Continue Reading
Prevent Gun Violence with Data - Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Repeal Tiahrt Restrictions That Endanger Public Safety
March 19, 2015Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee has introduced The Tiahrt Restrictions Repeal Act (H.R. 1449) to enhance efforts to prevent gun violence by providing law enforcement with greater access to vital information. “Gun violence is a public health epidemic. No one would stop the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention from tracking data on heart disease or an infectious disease like measles,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Law enforcement needs access to vital information to ensure public safety … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee and Senator Stabenow Introduce Resolution to Support Social Work
March 17, 2015Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Senator Stabenow (D-MI) introduced a Congressional Resolution to highlight the positive impact of social workers on their communities and to mark National Social Work Month and World Social Work Day. “As a psychiatric social worker, I am proud of the contributions that our nation’s social workers make every day in our communities by supporting the most vulnerable,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “This resolution brings long overdue… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Co-Sponsors Bill to Help More Than 2.3 Million Californians Struggling with Student Loan Debt
March 17, 2015WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee announced her co-sponsorship of Congressman Joe Courtney’s (D-CT) Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act of 2015. The bill would allow borrowers to refinance their students loans to a lower rate, similar to the rate available on new student loans. Some borrowers could refinance undergraduate loans at 3.86 percent. “Too many people are putting their futures on hold because they are buried under mountains of student loan debt. Student loan … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee's Statement on the Congressional Progressive Caucus's People's Budget
March 17, 2015Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee joined her colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and progressive partners in unveiling the CPC’s People’s Budget. She released this statement: “The CPC’s People’s Budget invests in American families, not special interests. Despite a recovering economy, too many Americans are still struggling to make ends meet. This budget helps American families and makes much needed investments to support the most vulnerable and communities of… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Slams House Republican Budget "Rigged for Special Interests and the One Percent"
March 16, 2015Washington DC - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement in response to the proposed House Republican budget: “The House Republicans’ so-called ‘balanced’ budget is not ‘balanced;’ it’s rigged for special interests and the one percent. By cutting food stamps, denying healthcare to millions and ending Medicare as we know it, this budget shows that Republican priorities lie only the wealthy and the well-connected. This budget funds corporate giveaways and a larger slush fund for Pe… Continue Reading