Press Releases
Lawmakers Move to Repeal Trump’s Birth-Control Rule After SCOTUS Rules in Favor
Washington, D.C. - In an immediate response to the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Trump administration's controversial rule that allows employers to refuse to cover their employees' birth control under their company health insurance plan, a group of federal lawmakers announced today they will be filing new legislation tomorrow to repeal the rules before they can take effect. The legislation, known as the Protect Access to Birth Control Act and led by Barbara Lee (D-CA), U.S. Reps. … Continue Reading
July 08, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Fiscal Year 2021 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, issued a statement in response to the introduction of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) funding bill. The LHHS bill designates $196.5 billion in funds to some of the nation's most critical programs, including Early Head Start Education and Social Security. … Continue Reading
July 07, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Fiscal Year 2021 Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. -Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Agriculture, Rural Development-FDA Funding legislation. This legislation provides $23.98 billion in discretionary funding to agencies and programs within the Department of Agriculture, the Farm Credit Administration, the … Continue Reading
July 07, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on the Approval of the Fiscal Year 2021 State and Foreign Operations Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Vice Chair of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, yesterday released a statement in response to the approval of the subcommittee’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 bill. In total, the bill provides $65.87 billion in funding for State Department, USAID, and related programs, an increase of $8.467 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $21.158 billion above the … Continue Reading
July 07, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Confederate Statue Removal in 2021 Legislative Branch Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee released the draft fiscal year 2021 Legislative Branch funding bill, which funds the Legislative Branch of the U.S. government, including the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional Budget Office, and Capitol Police. The bill provides $4.198 billion in resources used by the House of Representatives to develop legislation, conduct oversight, and assist constituents in their interactions with the Federal Government. The … Continue Reading
July 02, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee supports the Moving Forward Act – legislation to rebuild infrastructure, create jobs, fight the climate crisis and address disparities
Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) voted to pass H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act - sweeping legislation that will invest more than $1.5 trillion in modern, sustainable infrastructure while creating millions of good-paying jobs, fighting the climate crisis and addressing disparities in housing, health and education in California and nationwide. "The Moving Forward Act addresses disparities in our communities by making much-needed investments in environmental … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Reps. Lee, Fudge and Katko along with 161 Members of Congress urge an increase in food assistance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic
Washington, D.C. - Congressmembers Barbara Lee (CA-13), Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) and John Katko (NY-24) delivered a letter to Congressional leaders today urging an increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to address rising food insecurity and unprecedented demand at food banks across the country. The letter is addressed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and signed by 164 … Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Congressional Pro-Choice Leaders Praise Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Anti-Choice Law in June Medical Services v. Russo
Washington, DC - Today, Pro-Choice Caucus Chairs Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in June Medical Services v. Russo to overturn the Louisiana law requiring physicians who provide abortion care to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of a clinic. This law is identical to the Texas state law overturned 4 years ago in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt. "Today's decision reaffirms what we already … Continue Reading
June 26, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement Celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month: "It is an honor to once again mark June as Caribbean American Heritage Month. Caribbean Americans have added to our history, culture and communities in countless ways. The unique relationship between the United States and the Caribbean has enriched both regions and this month is a wonderful time to celebrate our shared past and future. "I led the effort to establish June … Continue Reading
June 26, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation Commemorating 75th Anniversary of the United Nations
Washington, D.C. - Today, on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations' Charter, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H. Res. 1024, legislation recognizing the 75th anniversary of the UN's establishment. "The United Nations is vital to our global community and essential to realizing a peaceful and prosperous shared future," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who is serving her fourth term as a congressional representative to the UN General Assembly. "Since it was established in … Continue Reading
June 25, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Praises Historic Policing Reform Bill Passed by Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee voted for H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, bold police reform legislation led by the Congressional Black Caucus. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement after the bill's passage. "After generations of systematic abuse, violence, and murder, the George Floyd Justice in Policing act will finally hold police accountable, end police brutality, and create structural changes to end systemic racism in policing. "As … Continue Reading
June 19, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the 155th Observance of Juneteenth
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement on the 155th observance of Juneteenth. "We celebrate this Juneteenth as millions of people around the world are crying out against systemic racism and anti-Black violence. On this day in 1865, news of slavery's end finally made its way to Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. In that same year, prior to Juneteenth, my grandfather was born under slavery in Galveston. On … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA)
OAKLAND, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following Statement today on U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. "The Supreme Court's ruling is great news for the almost 700,000 DACA recipients, their families and the entire country. These young people have lived in the United States for decades and have made a life for themselves and for their families. They are active members of our community, contribute to our economy and make America a … Continue Reading
June 16, 2020
Lee Leads 108 Members of Congress in Urging FDA to Ease Restrictions on Medication Abortion
WASHINGTON, D.C. - While the Trump Administration has encouraged the use of telemedicine across the health care industry during the pandemic, it has refused to relax rules around medication abortion, a move that experts warn may put both patients and providers at greater risk of contracting the coronavirus. Today, a group of 109 lawmakers, led by U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) are urging the Food and Drug Administration … Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee statement on Supreme Court ruling protecting gay and transgender workers from discrimination
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court's historic ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia. The ruling affirmed that federal anti-discrimination laws protect gay and transgender employees. "The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling today moved our nation one step closer towards the promise of fairness and equality for all. Of course it should be clear that firing someone for who they love, or where they fall on the gender … Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
After Years of Wasted Spending, Congresswoman Lee Calls to Cut Pentagon Budget, Reprioritize Programs that Keep Us Safe
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a resolution calling for significant cuts to the Pentagon budget. Last year's $738 billion National Defense Authorization Act was the largest on record, coming at the expense of health care, education, infrastructure spending, and public health research. In the middle of a global pandemic, it's more clear than ever that wasteful spending on unnecessary and endless wars does not keep our country safe or healthy. "For years, our … Continue Reading
June 11, 2020
Lee, Thompson Reintroduce Bill to Remove Confederate Statues From Capitol
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced a bill to remove Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol. The bill, the Confederate Monument Removal Act, originally introduced by Congresswoman Lee in 2017 in the wake of the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, would remove all statues of people who voluntarily served the Confederate State of America from the National Statuary Hall Collection within 120 days. "Americans in … Continue Reading
June 01, 2020
Congresswoman Lee Honors LGBT Pride Month
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a founding member and Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, released this statement in honor of LGBT Pride Month: "Every year, we recognize June as Pride month across the country and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of LGBTQ Americans. "During Pride month and throughout the year, we must embrace the certainty that love is love, and no one should ever have to hide their true self. Our LGBTQ neighbors, … Continue Reading
June 01, 2020
In the Wake of COVID-19 and Murder of George Floyd, Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls for Formation of Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Commission
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced 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. The legislation - supported by a broad coalition of members of Congress and community partners - will be officially introduced … Continue Reading
May 31, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Death of Federal Protective Service Security Officer Patrick Underwood
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement about the death of Federal Protective Service Security Officer Patrick Underwood: "My condolences and prayers go out to the loved ones of Patrick Underwood, who was killed in the line of duty in Oakland on Friday night, and I am praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded officer. During this time of trauma and hardship in our nation, we are further saddened and outraged by this callous act of gun violence. This crime … Continue Reading