Press Releases
Lee, Pressley, Warren, Bass, Kelly Re-Introduce Bicameral Bill to Mandate Federal Government Collect and Report Coronavirus Demographic Data -- Including Race and Ethnicity
Robust Data Collection on COVID Disparities Will Help Direct Resources to Hardest Hit Communities Bill Text (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF) WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), along with Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Karen Bass (CA-37), Robin Kelly (IL-13), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), today led their colleagues in reintroducing the bicameral Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act. The bill would require the Department of Health and Human … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Recent Air Strikes in Syria
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today released the following statement on the recent air strikes in Syria carried out by the Biden Administration: "The strike in Syria underscores that tensions between the United States and Iran remain dangerously high, and that there is an urgent need to get back to the table to revive the JCPOA. It also highlights the urgent need to repeal the blank checks for endless wars - the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs - which are now almost 20 years old. … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Pass Historic Legislation to End Discrimination Against All LGBTQ+ Americans
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released a statement following the passage of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which ensures that all LGBTQ+ individuals are granted the full protections guaranteed by federal civil rights law. The Equality Act amends existing federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, federal jury service, public accommodations, and the … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Lee, González Colon Reintroduce Bipartisan Resolution to Modernize Laws and Policies to Eliminate HIV/AIDS Discrimination
Washington, D.C. - Reps. Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Jenniffer González Colon (PR-At Large), Co-Chairs of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, reintroduced a bipartisan resolution to modernize laws and policies, and eliminate discrimination, with respect to people living with HIV/AIDS. Thirty-two states and two U.S. territories have criminal statutes or general criminal laws based on perceived exposure to HIV. Punishments under these laws or statutes include decades-long sentences and sex … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Representative Barbara Lee and Senator Cory Booker Reintroduce Legislation to Form Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Commission
Washington, D.C. --Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced the reintroduction of their legislation calling for the establishment of the first United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT). The Commission will examine the effects of slavery, institutional racism, and discrimination against people of color, and how our history impacts laws and policies today. "Inequality, systemic racism, and white supremacy are at the … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
At the Request of Lee, Warren, Booker, and Wyden, Federal Research Agency Will Review the Use of Race-Based Algorithms in Medical Practice
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) was joined by United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), in releasing the following statement regarding the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) approving their request to review the use of race-based clinical algorithms in standard medical practices: "The COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impact on communities of color have laid bare that racism is a public health … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Biden Executive Actions on Relief for Small Businesses
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Barbara Lee released a statement applauding executive actions taken by President Joe Biden to increase economic relief for small businesses. President Biden's Executive Actions include several reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program to target relief the hardest hit businesses, including a two-week window for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees to apply for funding. Nearly 98 percent of small businesses have less than 20 employees. These actions also aim … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Lee, Thompson, Booker Announce Re-Introduction of Bicameral Bill to Remove Confederate Statues From Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), announced the re-introduction of their bicameral bill to remove Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol. The Confederate Monument Removal Act would remove all statues of people who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from the National Statuary Hall Collection within 120 days of the bill being signed into law. This bill was originally introduced … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Applauds Investment in Education and Child Care in Biden American Rescue Plan
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today applauded the inclusion of critical funding for education in the FY21 budget reconciliation bill, which enacts President Biden's American Rescue Plan and will be considered on the floor of the House for a vote next week: The American Rescue Plan provides an estimated total of $170 billion in relief for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. The plan also provides $39 billion in funding for childcare providers to help … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins Vice President Harris for Roundtable Discussion on Biden-Harris American Rescue Plan
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) joined Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) for an official White House press conference and roundtable discussion on the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan and its impact on women. The event began with a press availability for the White House press corps followed by a roundtable discussion on the American … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Lee and Blumenauer Urge President Biden to Pardon Federal Cannabis Offenses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, led 35 lawmakers in urging President Joe Biden to use executive clemency to pardon individuals convicted of federal cannabis offenses. "Until the day that Congress sends you a marijuana reform bill to sign, you have a unique ability to lead on criminal justice reform and provide immediate relief to thousands of Americans," the lawmakers wrote in a … Continue Reading
February 12, 2021
Representative Lee Leads Congressional Democrats in Filing Amicus Brief in ACOG v. FDA
Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Jan Schakowsky. (IL-9), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), as well as Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), led 148 Members of Congress in filing an amicus brief in the case of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists v. United States Food and Drug Administration (ACOG v. FDA). The brief challenges the FDA's in-person dispensing … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Funding for COVID-19 Funeral Expenses
Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today announced $2 billion in special Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for families to afford proper funerals for their loved ones who passed away as a result of COVID-19. This program replicates the funding used for funeral assistance after Hurricane Katrina, and was inspired by legislation introduced by Congresswoman Lee and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) in May. This program will allow families to be … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Co-Chairs of Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity Applaud Congressional Proposal to Expand Child Tax Credit, Reduce Child Poverty
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), co-chairs of the Majority Leader's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, applauded the recently released proposal from House Democrats to provide $3,000 per child to tens of millions of American families, with the goal of addressing child poverty as part of President Biden's $1.9 trillion economic relief package. Congresswoman Lee and Leader Hoyer released the following statement: "The level of this … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on U.S. Reengaging with UN Human Rights Council
Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released a statement following U.S. Secretary of State Blinken's announcement that the U.S. will reengage with the UN Human Rights Council: "In reengaging with the UN Human Rights Council, the U.S. will play an active role in ensuring the Council serves its purpose in holding countries accountable for their human rights record and supporting the global fight against injustice. "The UN Human Rights Council is, without a doubt, in need of … Continue Reading
February 06, 2021
Rep. Lee Applauds Senate Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Critical Diaper Assistance to Families During Pandemic
Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today introduced legislation to assist families who are struggling to afford diapers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Diaper Assistance Act, which was also introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), would provide $200 million in additional funds through the Social Services Block Grant program for diaper assistance. Prior to the pandemic, nonprofit diaper bank distribution … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds the Passage of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today released the following statement of support for H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, upon its adoption by the House of Representatives. This legislation will grant $3.9 billion over five years to expand registered apprenticeships through grants and modify the approval process for apprenticeship programs. The U.S. is facing a dire economic crisis, with more than 11.1 million unemployed and more than eight million people … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Rep. Lee Joins Dingell, Markey in Reintroducing THRIVE Resolution to Build Back Economy Following Coronavirus Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - As the Biden administration begins to take immediate action to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic depression, Representative Barbara Lee (CA-13) joined Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today in reintroducing the Transform, Heal, and Renew by Investing in a Vibrant Economy (THRIVE) Agenda. The resolution outlines a framework for a bold economic renewal plan that addresses the four current ongoing and … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Lee, DeLauro Applaud Biden for Ending Support for Saudi-Led War in Yemen
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) today released a statement on President Joe Biden's announcement that the United States will end its support for Saudi-led war operations in Yemen: "President Biden's announcement ending support for offensive operations in Yemen is the first step toward ensuring the United States is only engaging in humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to end … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Recognizes Beginning of Black History Month
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee celebrated the beginning of Black History Month with the following statement: "Today marks the beginning of Black History Month, a time to honor and celebrate the countless African Americans who were trailblazers for justice and pioneers of innovation. "This month, we recognize the significant contributions that African Americans have made to our nation throughout its history - despite the overwhelming inequalities and injustices that … Continue Reading