Press Releases
Ranking Member Lee Opposes Republican State, Foreign Operations Funding Bill that Abdicates United States Leadership, Weakens National Security
WASHINGTON — Today, House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Ranking Member Barbara Lee (CA-12) opposed Republicans’ extreme 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill. Congresswoman Lee’s full remarks as prepared for delivery can be found here. House Democrats were united in their opposition to the legislation that proposes a 12 percent cut below 2024 to the bill’s overall funding level. “This partisan bill panders to the most extreme voices, … Continue Reading
June 08, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Release of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Commemorative Quarter
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement celebrating the United States Mint beginning shipments of the American Women Quarter honoring Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was the first female United States Army surgeon, and the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor. “As the Congressional sponsor of the bill establishing the American Women Quarters program years ago, I am proud to see yet another brilliant yet underrecognized … Continue Reading
June 06, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on 80th Anniversary of D-Day
Washington, D.C. - Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. “80 years ago, one of the largest invasions in historical warfare—and the start to the end of World War II—took place. Today, we look back to the over 2,400 American lives lost on the beaches of Normandy, remember their stories, and honor their immense bravery. “My father, Lt. Col. Garvin A. Tutt, was a Buffalo soldier in the 92nd infantry, a racially segregated and … Continue Reading
June 05, 2024
Ranking Member Lee Condemns GOP State and Foreign Operations Bill Text, Extreme Cuts to Diplomacy and Development
Washington, D.C. - Representative Barbara Lee, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, and Representative Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, reacted to the drastic budget cuts House Appropriations Committee Republicans released in the draft fiscal year 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill, which was considered in subcommittee Tuesday. The Congresswoman’s opening remarks can be viewed HERE. House Republicans … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Rep. Lee, Colleagues File Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Right to Contraception Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after filing a discharge petition for the Right to Contraception Act—a bill to protect access to contraception in federal law. The petition was led by Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Congresswoman Kathy Manning (D-NC), and Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL). Representatives Lee and DeGette serve as Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus. "As Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I am proud to … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released a statement in celebration of National Caribbean American Heritage Month: "This Caribbean American Heritage Month, we celebrate the immense cultural, economic and civic contributions of the Caribbean American community. The Caribbean spirit has enriched the fabric of America's diversity. Caribbean American trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm, Colin Powell and Harry Belafonte enrich our culture and enhance our democracy. This … Continue Reading
May 30, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Trump Guilty Verdict
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement after former president Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. “Donald Trump is now a convicted felon. I commend the brave public servants that worked to perform their civic duty under extraordinary circumstances. Even a former president must be brought to … Continue Reading
May 23, 2024
Poverty Task Force Chair Barbara Lee Blasts GOP Attack on SNAP Funding
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of the Poverty Task Force and senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Programs, issued the following statement underscoring the dangerous impacts of the Republican conference's proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). "Our country has a hunger problem. According to the USDA, there are more that 44 million people, including 13 million … Continue Reading
May 22, 2024
Ranking Member Lee Gives Opening Remarks Condemning Proposed GOP Cuts to Diplomacy, Development at FY25 SFOPS Hearing with Sec. Blinken
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS), delivered the following remarks at today’s hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the Department of State with Secretary Antony Blinken. The full hearing can be viewed here. —As Prepared for Delivery— “Thank you, Mister Chairman. Secretary Blinken, I appreciate you taking the time to be with us this morning. I don’t … Continue Reading
May 22, 2024
Ranking Member Lee Gives Opening Remarks Condemning Proposed GOP Cuts to Diplomacy, Development at FY25 SFOPS Hearing with Sec. Blinken
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS), delivered the following remarks at today’s hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the Department of State with Secretary Antony Blinken. The full hearing can be viewed here. —As Prepared for Delivery— “Thank you, Mister Chairman. Secretary Blinken, I appreciate you taking the time to be with us this morning. I don’t … Continue Reading
May 21, 2024
Small Business Administration Publishes Complete Minority Contracting Data in Response to Rep. Lee, Tri-Caucus Letter
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Tri-Caucus Leaders Reps. Steven Horsford (NV-4), Judy Chu (CA-28), and Nanette Barragán (CA-44) applauded the Small Business Administration for granting the lawmakers’ request for the agency to publish complete data on federal small and disadvantaged businesses disaggregated by race and ethnicity. “This is welcome news. I thank Administrator Guzman and staff at the SBA for their work to publish this important data, which will … Continue Reading
May 17, 2024
Congresswoman Lee Welcomes Senators Butler and Warnock as Senate Co-Leads on the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) celebrated Senators Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and Raphael Warnock’s (D-GA) Senate introduction of her legislation to award the Honorable Shirley Chisholm with the Congressional Gold Medal. This legislation serves as a companion to the House bill, , H.R. 1088, introduced by Reps. Lee, Maxine Waters, Hakeem Jeffries, and Yvette Clarke. "I am grateful to my Senate colleagues, friends, and dedicated public servants Senators Laphonza Butler and … Continue Reading
May 17, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on House Republicans’ Intended SFOPS Cuts
Washington, D.C. - House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Ranking Member Barbara Lee (CA-12) issued the following statement regarding House Republican plans to cut diplomatic, global development and humanitarian assistance programs by 11.6% for Fiscal Year 2025: “This is a fundamentally unserious proposal that will make America weaker, hurt vulnerable people, and gut our tools for avoiding conflict and promoting peace. By cutting our development, diplomacy and … Continue Reading
May 16, 2024
Ranking Members Lee, Meeks, Foreign Policy Democrats Urge Speaker Johnson to Reconsider Inviting Kenyan President Ruto to Address Congress
Washington, D.C. - Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Congressman Gregory W. Meeks led a group of foreign policy-focused House Democrats in calling on Speaker Johnson to reconsider his decision not to invite Kenyan President William Ruto to address Congress during his visit to the United States next week. “We are extremely disappointed by your … Continue Reading
May 16, 2024
ICMYI: Congresswoman Barbara Lee & Actress Christina Jackson Tour Mills College at Northeastern University
OAKLAND, CA - On Monday, May 16, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) hosted actress Christina Jackson, who played a young Barbara Lee in the Netflix original film 'Shirley', on a tour of her alma mater, Mills College in Oakland. Click HERE for additional photos of the Congresswoman’s campus visit. During their visit, Congresswoman Lee reminisced over her college yearbook photos and other memorabilia from her time as president of the Black Student Union at Mills College. Rep. Lee and Jackson … Continue Reading
April 30, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on DEA Marijuana Reclassification
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, released the following statement on the announcement that the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will move to reclassify marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug to Schedule III. “Marijuana’s current scheduling is inappropriate, arcane, and out-of-touch with the will of the American people,” said Congresswoman Lee. “This announcement is a step in the right direction. But to … Continue Reading
April 29, 2024
Congresswoman Lee Applauds Port of Oakland Air Quality Initiatives Supported by $4 million Federal Grant
OAKLAND, CA—Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) applauded a $4 million grant that was awarded to the Port of Oakland for its zero-emissions initiatives at the Oakland Seaport. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) made the announcement last week. This federal funding will advance the introduction of zero-emissions equipment at the Oakland Seaport and help improve overall air quality at the Oakland Seaport and in neighboring communities. The Port and its … Continue Reading
April 26, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Expresses Disappointment in Delay on FDA Menthol Cigarette Ban
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the Biden administration’s announcement delaying plans to ban menthol cigarettes, a proposal announced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) years ago. “I am very disappointed by today’s news. It's past time we ban the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to fully address the dangers of smoking. The FDA has studied menthol cigarettes for years, and all evidence points to their harmful and … Continue Reading
April 25, 2024
Lee, Warren, Fetterman, Schumer, Blumenauer, 16 Lawmakers to DEA: Move Swiftly to Reschedule Marijuana
Washington, D.C. - Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) led 17 lawmakers in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram, expressing their growing frustration that the DEA has not acted to remove marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. They are asking the DEA … Continue Reading
April 23, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Passing of Reverend Cecil Williams
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the passing of Reverend Cecil Williams. Congresswoman Lee, the Reverend’s wife Janice Mirikitani, and the Reverend at a protest in 2003. “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Rev. Cecil Williams, a dear friend and incomparable moral and spiritual leader of the Bay area. “The Reverend changed the lives of millions through radical love, support, inclusivity, and a commitment to service to … Continue Reading