Press Releases
Lee, Warren, Colleagues Call on HHS to Provide COVID-19 Relief Funds to Underserved Communities
The lawmakers urge HHS to follow the model laid out in the COVID Community Care Act, which would empower trusted organizations in underserved communities to address mistrust of public health information and provide timely services to combat COVID-19. "By bringing community leaders to the table, HHS can use its influence to ensure timely and effective messages reach communities that have too often been neglected." Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), … Continue Reading
January 14, 2021
Coin Redesign Act Celebrating Prominent American Women and Others Signed into Law
Washington, D.C. - Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) today joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) in celebrating their bipartisan legislation, the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, being signed into law. H.R. 1923, the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 allows the Department of the Treasury and U.S. Mint to mint and issue new quarter-dollar coins. The first series of … Continue Reading
January 13, 2021
Pro-Choice Caucus leaders’ condemn Supreme Court decision to reinstate Trump mifepristone restrictions
Washington, D.C. - Barbara Lee (D-CA) and U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), as co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, issued the following statement after yesterday's Supreme Court decision to grant the Trump administration's request to reinstate a harmful FDA policy requiring women to pick-up mifepristone - a pill used to safely and effectively induce an early abortion or treat an early miscarriage - in person: "The Trump administration's outdated policy forcing women to … Continue Reading
January 13, 2021
Congresswoman Lee Votes for Second Impeachment of Donald Trump
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today released the following statement following the passage of H.Res. 24, An Article of Impeachment Charging President Trump with Incitement of Insurrection: "Today, I voted to impeach Donald Trump for a second time on charges of incitement of insurrection. This is historic and unprecedented, and the House took historic and unprecedented action to hold Trump accountable for this sedition. "Donald Trump has been, and continues to be a threat … Continue Reading
January 13, 2021
ICYMI: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Delivers Remarks in Congressional Black Caucus Hearing on White Supremacy at U.S. Capitol Riots
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today joined her colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for a virtual hearing on the deadly events of January 6, titled 'U.S. Capitol Insurrection: White Supremacy on Display.' A transcript and video remarks are available here "Thank you very much, Congresswoman Lawrence and I want to thank our Congressional Black Caucus and our chair, really for first continuing to be the conscience of the Congress and also Chairwoman Beatty, thank … Continue Reading
January 12, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation Supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee re-introduced a House resolution supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Rep. Lee's H.Res.30 includes seventeen goals that will help end poverty, tackle inequality, and create more inclusive societies. The resolution, whose objectives were adopted by the United Nations in 2015, provides a clear pathway for countries to increase prosperity and peace for all. The resolution also provides a shared blueprint of … Continue Reading
January 12, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Continues Efforts to Stop Endless Wars
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee today introduced two pieces of legislation to stop endless wars. Rep. Lee’s legislation would repeal the 2002 AUMF and initiate an eight-month sunset of the 2001 AUMF. In 2001, Rep. Lee was the lone vote against the 2001 AUMF and has spent her career in Congress fighting to put an end to wasteful investment in endless wars. “Nearly 20 years after I cast the sole “no” vote on the 2001 Authorization for … Continue Reading
January 12, 2021
Rep. Lee and Chairwoman DeLauro Introduce the End Diaper Need Act of 2021
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, and Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced the End Diaper Need Act of 2021, which would create a demonstration program for distributing diaper in states, communities and nonprofits around the nation. The End Diaper Need Act improves access for children with complex medical challenges, allowing Medicaid to cover at least 200 medically … Continue Reading
January 12, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Trump Administration’s Designation of Cuba as State Sponsor of Terror
Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the Trump administration's designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism: "It is outrageous that Trump has named Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The failed policy of punishing the Cuban people for narrow political advantage will only cause further suffering among Cubans, and place new barriers between Cubans and their relatives in the US. … Continue Reading
January 11, 2021
Lee, Thompson, Panetta, DeFazio, and Newhouse Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Authorize WHIP Program to Provide Relief for 2020 Fires
Washington, D.C. - Today Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13), along with original co-authors Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-05) Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Dan Newhouse (WA-04), announced the introduction of the WHIP+ Reauthorization Act. These Members represent states up and down the West Coast that were hit hard by fires in 2020 and they introduce this bill to reactivate the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) … Continue Reading
January 11, 2021
Reps. Lee, Meng, and Meeks Issue Statement on USAID's Revised Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (CA-13), Grace Meng (NY-06), and Gregory Meeks (NY-05) issued the following statement after the U.S. Agency for International Development revealed its revised Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment policy which reverses decades of work by gender experts. Last Wednesday, USAID published its final Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Policy. We are concerned this document would adversely impact the lives of women and girls around the world … Continue Reading
January 07, 2021
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Continues to Demand Impeachment and Removal of Donald Trump
Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today continued her calls for the immediate impeachment and removal of Donald Trump. This most recent call comes following a violent coup attempt at the U.S. Capitol, which was incited by Trump and left five people dead with many more injured. "Donald Trump remains the greatest threat to our democracy and our national security," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "On Wednesday, he incited a violent and deadly insurrection at our U.S. Capitol in an … Continue Reading
January 07, 2021
Congresswoman Lee Statement on Violent Coup Attempt at U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today released the following statement on the violent acts carried out in an attempt to shut down the United States Capitol and overturn the results of the election: "I am appreciative of all the support and fortunate that my staff and I are safe. I was swiftly rushed off the floor of the House and moved to a secure location following the riotous breach of the Capitol incited by Donald Trump. "The events of today are a stain on America. … Continue Reading
January 03, 2021
Congresswoman Lee Sworn in As Member of Democratic Leadership in the 117th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after being sworn in to represent California's 13th Congressional District in the 117th Congress: "It is a profound honor to be sworn in as a member of Democratic leadership in the 117th Congress. This is a historically diverse Democratic Majority that is nearly 70% women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals, and it is a privilege to serve alongside so many dedicated public servants. I am grateful for the trust … Continue Reading
December 23, 2020
Reps. Lee, Price, Schakowsky, Meeks, Castro, Spanberger, and Sherman Spearhead Letter to President-elect Biden with 150 Total Signers Urging Diplomatic Steps to Return Both Iran and U.S. to JCPOA
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), David Price (D-NC), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Abigail D. Spanberger (D-VA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA) sent a letter to President-elect Joseph R. Biden with a total of 150 signers expressing support for renewed diplomacy to halt and reverse Iran's nuclear program, to address other pressing issues, and to reduce the likelihood of violent regional conflict. The letter expresses support for both … Continue Reading
December 23, 2020
Congressional Pro-Choice Leaders Urge Biden to Take Immediate Steps to Protect Reproductive Rights
Washington, D.C. - The Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus - led by U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee and (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) - sent a letter to President-elect Joe Biden outlining the steps they hope his administration will immediately take to "preserve, protect, and advance sexual and reproductive health" for everyone in the U.S. and around the world. In the letter, which was co-signed by all nine Pro-Choice Caucus Task Force Chairs, the Congressional pro-choice leaders said the House's … Continue Reading
December 22, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Appointment of Dr. Shirley Weber as California Secretary of State
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement congratulating Dr. Shirley Weber on her historic appointment to serve as California's Secretary of State: "Congratulations to Assemblywoman Shirley Weber on her appointment to serve as California's Secretary of State. Dr. Weber has been a bold leader throughout her career, most recently on her groundbreaking bill to study and propose reparations for Black people, which Governor Newsom signed into law in … Continue Reading
December 22, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Appointment of Secretary Padilla to California Senate Seat
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom's appointment of California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to represent California in the United States Senate: "I congratulate Secretary of State Alex Padilla on his historic appointment to fill Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris's seat in the United States Senate. Secretary Padilla has a track record as a skilled legislator and a steadfast advocate for justice, and I believe he … Continue Reading
December 21, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Latest COVID-19 Relief Package and Omnibus Deal
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, today released a statement on the latest COVID-19 relief package and omnibus bill passed in the House of Representatives and expected to pass the Senate later this evening. This deal comes eight months after the House and Senate agreed on the first COVID relief package, the CARES Act, and three months after House Democrats proposed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package, the Heroes Act, which … Continue Reading
December 21, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Removal of Robert E. Lee Statue from U.S. Capitol
Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue from the crypt of the U.S. Capitol: "In 2017, in the wake of the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, I introduced the Confederate Monument Removal Act with Rep. Bennie Thompson to remove all statues of those who voluntarily served the Confederacy from the Capitol building. "The removal of the Robert E. Lee statue from the U.S. Capitol today is an important step in confronting our … Continue Reading