Press Releases
Lee, Pressley, Warren Reintroduce Bold Legislation to Confront Structural Racism as a Public Health Crisis
The Anti-Racism in Public Health Act would create a "Center on Anti-Racism in Health" at the CDC, strengthening the federal government's ability to develop anti-racist health policy Bill would also create a Law Enforcement Violence Prevention Program to apply a comprehensive public health approach to ending police brutality Bill Text (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF) WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls on Congress to Address Poverty
Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Co-Chair of the Majority Leader's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, today introduced legislation expressing Congress' moral responsibility to end poverty in the United States. In 2019, approximately 34 million people and nearly 11 million children were living in poverty. Alarmingly, 8 million more Americans have slipped into poverty since May 2020, 1 in 7 children live in poverty, and nearly 3 in 4 poor children are children of … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Commend President Biden’s Actions to Restore Reproductive Freedom
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) as co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, issued the following statement after President Biden today took executive action to restore access to reproductive freedom for everyone in the U.S. and around the world: "The Trump administration's Global Gag Rule has limited people's ability to access reproductive care and has had devastating consequences on low-income communities and communities of color. After … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Lee, Bera, Schakowsky and Shaheen Introduce Legislation to Permanently Repeal Harmful Global Gag Rule
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) joined with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to introduce the Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights (Global HER) Act, bicameral legislation to permanently repeal the harmful Global Gag Rule. The Global Gag Rule prohibits foreign organizations from receiving U.S. global health assistance if they provide information, referrals, or services for legal abortion or advocate for the … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Rep. Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation to Address the Global Climate Crisis
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) introduced two bills, the Women and Climate Change Act of 2021 and the Resolution Supporting the Teaching of Climate Change in Schools, aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change on women and girls around the world and encouraging the federal government, states, schools, and community organizations to teach climate change in appropriate programs and activities. "As we face a global pandemic and economic crisis, it is more important … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on President Biden’s Executive Actions Addressing the Climate Crisis
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement on Executive Orders announced today by President Biden to address the global climate crisis, create millions of new jobs, and restore scientific integrity to decision making at the federal level. The orders include a halt on new oil and gas leases on federal lands and a directive that "clearly establishes climate considerations as an essential element of U.S. foreign policy and national security," among other … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Rejoins House Budget Committee
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on her reappointment to the House Budget Committee: "I am honored to again serve on the House Budget Committee in the 117th Congress. Our budget is a moral document that lays out our national priorities and must be viewed through the lens of racial justice and equality. From my seat on the Committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues to craft a budget that strengthens our national security by reducing wasteful … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on President Biden’s Actions to Advance Racial Equity
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement on President Biden's executive actions addressing racial equity in housing, criminal justice, and public health: "President Biden's latest executive actions create a framework through which we can finally begin tackling meaningful equity reforms in issues that have only been made worse from the pandemic. "For too long, the federal government has played a central role in creating unjust housing policies … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Chair Powerful Foreign Affairs Subcommittee
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, was named the new Chair of the House Appropriations subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS). Chairwoman Lee will be the first African American Member of Congress to serve as Chair of the subcommittee, which funds many of the nondefense international affairs activities of the United States. The subcommittee funds the State Department and other Foreign Operations accounts and … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on President Biden Executive Order Reversing Trump Transgender Service Ban
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement on President Biden's Executive Order to reverse the Trump transgender military ban: "President Biden's executive action to reverse the discriminatory and hateful transgender military ban is an important step toward ensuring that all who are qualified can serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. This action also reaffirms that our country thrives in diversity and inclusivity. "The Trump ban was a cruel … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Recognize 48th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Today, U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, released the following statement marking the 48th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision: "For nearly 50 years, Roe v. Wade has protected the right to reproductive care. After the last four years of consistent assaults from the Trump administration, it's never been more crucial to renew our efforts to strengthening reproductive rights. "Trump has … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Representative Lee and Senator Warren Applaud White House Effort to Advance Equity in National COVID-19 Strategy
Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) issued the following joint statement applauding the equity provisions included in President Biden's national strategy to address COVID-19: "As we continue to fight a deadly pandemic that has taken over 400,000 lives, communities of color and medically underserved communities continue to be most impacted. The Biden administration's science-based plan addresses racial equity through the establishment of … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on President Biden’s Latest Executive Action to Combat Hunger and Protect Workers
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and co-chair of the Majority Leader's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, released a statement applauding President Biden's latest Executive Orders aimed at combatting hunger and protecting workers as we continue to fight back the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis. "In the face of this public health and economic crisis and in its first days in office, the Biden-Harris administration is already … Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds White House National COVID-19 Strategy
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on President Biden's national strategy to address the COVID-19 pandemic: "Over 400,000 people lost their lives in the past year from this pandemic. Communities of color were especially impacted as a result of systemic racism in our public health system. As millions suffered, we could not look to leadership from the Trump administration to address this crisis. "On his second day in office, President Biden signed … Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds President Biden’s Day One Executive Orders
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today released a statement applauding the Executive Actions taken by President Joe Biden on his first full day in office: "Yesterday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in, giving us all hope for a brighter future for our country. "On his first day in office, President Biden singed dozens of executive orders aiming to crush the coronavirus, provide financial relief to struggling families, meet the challenge … Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Rep. Lee Leads Colleagues in Sending a Letter to President Biden Calling for an End to Forever Wars
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, led a group of her colleagues, including Reps. Gregory Meeks, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Jim McGovern, Chair of the House Rules Committee, Adam Schiff, Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, and Anthony Brown, Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, in sending a letter to President Joe Biden on his first full day in office urging his support for repealing the … Continue Reading
January 20, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates the Inauguration of the 46th President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after the swearing in of the 46th President of the United States Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris: "Today was a historic day: we welcomed President Joseph R. Biden and Kamala D. Harris to the White House, ending the national nightmare of the last four years of the Trump presidency. "Against the backdrop of insurrection and white supremacy, amidst a deadly pandemic, we have reason to smile, because our … Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Reintroduces a Resolution Recognizing No Name-Calling Week
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) reintroduced H.Con. Res 4. a Concurrent Resolution recognizing No Name-Calling Week, which takes place January 18-22. This initiative aims to address the impact that bullying and name calling have on LGBTQ+ youth and encourages schools to consider a more comprehensive anti-bullying and harassment policy. Since 2004, No Name-Calling Week has been raising awareness for the millions of students across the country who experience bullying. This … Continue Reading
January 18, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: "Today we celebrate the life and legacy of our drum major for justice, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "I am reminded of his April 1967 speech at Riverside Church in New York, where he reminded us that this country must address the three evils of poverty, racism and militarism. "Racism is alive and well in America. Just two weeks ago, the U.S. Capitol was stormed … Continue Reading
January 14, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Biden-Harris Administration’s COVID Relief Plan
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today released a statement on the announcement from the incoming Biden-Harris Administration outlining their emergency COVID relief package: "From Day one, President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris committed to the American people that they would tackle this virus and recover our economy from all the damage done by the inaction of the Trump administration. Today's plan unveiled by the President-elect will do exactly that. It … Continue Reading