Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $3 Million in Federal Head Start Funds
June 24, 2014For Immediate Release: June 24, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced a $3,070,400 federal grant awarded to Alameda Family Services to expand Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “I am excited to announce this critical funding for Alameda Family Services to expand Head Start Programs,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “E… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Marks 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights by Calling for Action
June 24, 2014For Immediate Release: June 24th, 2014 Contact: James Lewis (202) 225-1882 James.C.Lewis@mail.house.gov Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), joined by constituents, celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, upon the posthumous awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal. “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King and their legacy is a beacon and a challenge for all to live our lives for the betterment of our countr… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Slams GOP Exporting War on Woman and Restricted Funding for Peacekeeping Forces
June 24, 2014Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Lee, a member of the Appropriations Committee, offered several amendments to the Fiscal Year 2015 State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) Appropriations bill. “The funding in this bill is critical to the U.S.’s long-term strategic and national security goals of promoting human rights and representative government. Congress must continue to support critical initiatives by the State Department and USAID to advance diplomacy and peace around the globe.” Con… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Fights for Women's Reproductive Rights at Home and Abroad
June 24, 2014Washington, DC - This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee is offering two amendments to protect women’s reproductive health options. On Tuesday, during the House Appropriations full committee mark up of the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS) bill, Congresswoman Lee offered an amendment to strike Republican language to reinstate the “Global Gag Rule.” The Global Gag Rule, also known as the Mexico City policy, requires that any overseas organization receiving U.S. aid not mentio… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds State Budget Anti-Poverty Efforts
June 20, 2014For Immediate Release: June 20th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510)763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement regarding the 2014-2015 Revised California State Budget: “I applaud Governor Brown for making California’s most vulnerable citizens a priority,” said Congresswoman Lee. “As families across state and nation continue to struggle; it is important to maintain and strengthen the all-important social safety net.” Cali… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Fights to Stop Endless War
June 20, 2014For Immediate Release: June 20th, 2014 Contact: James Lewis, (202) 225-1882 Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issues statement following final passage of the 2015 Department of Defense Appropriations bill (H.R. 4870). All four of Congresswoman Lee’s amendments were voted down. H.R. 4870 has passed with a final vote count of 340 no yes votes and 73 no votes. Congresswoman Lee against the final bill. “Despite support from the American people to end o… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Amendments to Prevent War in Iraq
June 19, 2014For Immediate Release: June 19th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. -Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced four amendments to the 2015 Department of Defense appropriations bill to prevent a war in Iraq, prevent future funding for combat operations in Afghanistan and to prevent funding for the Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF). “We must not let history repeat itself in Iraq. Because the reality is there is no military solution… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Commends Passage of her Amendment to Increase Funding for Multiple Sclerosis Research by $5 Million
June 18, 2014For Immediate Release: June 18th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Lee applauded the passage of her amendment to increase funding for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research by $5 million. The amendment, which was included in the FY2015 Defense Appropriations, would provide for additional MS research, development, testing and evaluation under the Defense Health Program. “This increase in funding is a critical lifeline to the more than … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Stands Up for the Voting Right Amendment Act
June 18, 2014For Immediate Release: June 18th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined members of the Tri-Caucus and civil rights leaders in calling for Republican House leadership to bring the Voting Rights Amendment Act (VRAA) up for a vote. As the one year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down voter protections in Shelby County v. Holder approaches, Congresswoman Lee joined her colleagues to reaffirm her com… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Responds to President Obama's Remarks on Iraq
June 13, 2014For Immediate Release: Friday, June 13, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510)-763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Following President Obama's remarks concerning the crisis in Iraq, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement: "After more than a decade of war, thousands of American lives and billions of dollars, the American people are looking to Congress to promote security and diplomacy," said Congresswoman Lee. "The ongoing crisis in Iraq is the tragic product of Pre… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Lauds Passage of Amendment to Ban Funding for Discriminatory Hair Regulations in the U.S. Army
June 10, 2014For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510)-763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Lee applauded the passage of her amendment to block funding for discriminatory Army regulations which ban many natural hairstyles worn by women of color. The updated guidelines, released in March, included twists, large cornrows, and dreadlocks on its list of unauthorized hairstyles. “I am pleased that my amendment to stop the implementation of the Army’s… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Passage of Her Amendment to Increase Funds to Prevent Housing Discrimination
June 10, 2014For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510)-763-0370 Washington, D.C. -Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee celebrated the passage of her amendment to the Transportation Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations bill to increase funding to the Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP), which helps prevent housing discrimination. The amendment was co-sponsored by Congressman Al Green (D-TX). “I am pleased that we were able to increase funding… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Issues a Statement Regarding the Passing of Albany Mayor Peggy Thomsen
June 10, 2014For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510)-763-0370 Washington, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement regarding the passing of Albany Mayor Peggy Thomsen: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Albany Mayor Peggy Thomsen, and my thoughts and prayers go out to her friends, family and the entire Albany community. “Mayor Thomsen was a consummate public servant whose commitment to local government and service to t… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks Caribbean American Heritage Month
June 04, 2014FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, June 4th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) offered the following statement on her resolution marking June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month: “It’s an honor to celebrate June as Caribbean American Heritage Month and the unique relationship between the United States and the Caribbean region. Our history and culture have been enriched by our Caribbean neighbors and this month … Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Applauds EPA’s Decision to Begin Cutting Carbon Pollution from Power Plants
June 03, 2014FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s new carbon pollution standards for existing power plants: “The Obama Administration’s decision to begin cutting carbon emissions from power plants is an important step on the road to reversing the dangerous effects of global climate change. Rising temperatures, unprecedented storms, … Continue Reading
Barbara Lee Releases LGBT Pride Month Statement
June 02, 2014NEWS ADVISORY: June 2, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in recognition of LGBT Pride Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of June: “Every June, LGBT Pride Month provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and courage of LGBT individuals in the march towards full equality, while acknowledging the continued struggles against discrimination still faced by far too … Continue Reading
Barbara Lee Hails Passage of Medical Marijuana Amendment
June 01, 2014For Immediate Release: June 2, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined Salwa Ibrahim, CEO/Executive Director of Blum Oakland and Amanda Reiman, California Policy Manager for the Drug Policy Alliance, for a tour and press conference to highlight the passage of the Commerce-Science-Justice Appropriations Bill that included an amendment she co-sponsored to advance medical marijuana protections. This event took place at Blu… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Lee Applauds Passage of Second Chance and Medical Marijuana Protection Measures
May 30, 2014FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee celebrated the passage of her amendment to increase funding for Second Chance Act programs in the Commerce-Science-Justice Appropriations bill. She also hailed the passage of an amendment she co-sponsored with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher that prohibits the use of funds by the Department of Justice to prevent states from implementing their own state laws that aut… Continue Reading
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $5 Million in Federal HIV Treatment Funding
May 29, 2014FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) announced the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (ACHCSA) was awarded a $4,905,956 federal HIV Emergency Relief Project Grant to increase access to quality and effective community-based care for low-income families and individuals living with HIV. The HIV Emergency Relief Project program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administr… Continue Reading
Barbara Lee Issues Statement on the Passing of Dr. Maya Angelou
May 28, 2014FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the passing of Maya Angelou: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of a great phenomenal warrior-woman, Dr. Maya Angelou. I offer my condolences to Dr. Angelou’s friends and family, including her son Guy Johnson who is both a friend and constituent, as they celebrate and mourn her spirit-filled life. Her vast b… Continue Reading