Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks 10th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Calls on Trump Administration to End ACA Lawsuit
OAKLAND, CA - Today, on the 10th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Congresswoman Lee called on the Trump Administration to end its Texas v. U.S. lawsuit, which would strike down the entirety of the ACA, as well as pre-existing condition protections for 130 million Americans, including more than 6 million Californians, amid the coronavirus pandemic. "For a decade, Democrats have stood strong against the GOP's all-out assault on the health and financial security of hard-working … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Representatives Lee, García introduce bill Prohibiting Rental Evictions During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
OAKLAND, CA - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), and 39 additional cosponsors introduced the Rental Eviction Moratorium Act today to prohibit landlords from evicting rental tenants during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The bill will be part of the third COVID-19 stimulus package introduced by the House of Representatives, the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act. "As more workers are losing their jobs or having their hours … Continue Reading
March 14, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hails Passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted to pass H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a robust federal spending package to address the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. "As we continue to see the spread of coronavirus, we can and must use all the tools we have to respond to this public health crisis. That is why, in addition to the recently enacted $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus supplemental, we acted today to address the impact of the virus … Continue Reading
March 08, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee update on the Grand Princess Cruise at the Port of Oakland
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released an update on the Grand Princess Cruise at the Port of Oakland. "I am proud of my State, City, County, and Port of Oakland for stepping up during this public health crisis to work with the federal government to aid thousands of people trapped on the Grand Princess Cruise. Protecting the public health of the passengers and our community can and will be central to this effort. The ship will only dock during disembarkment and passengers … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, East Bay Students Embark on Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama
Montgomery, AL - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and students from the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center will travel to Alabama and Tennessee to participate in the Faith & Politics Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage. "Each year, the Faith & Politics Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage provides a life-changing experience by reminding us of our nation's civil rights history and the lessons we must embrace if we want to truly confront the legacy of racism in America," said … Continue Reading
March 03, 2020
Congresswomen Lee, Roybal-Allard, Chairwoman DeLauro Celebrate Landmark Hearing on Child Poverty
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee hosted a hearing on a study from the National Academy of Science titled "A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty." This landmark study was commissioned by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) with support from then-Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and then-Chairman Tom Cole (OK-4) in the Fiscal Year 2016 LHHSE Appropriations bill, as the first-ever federally funded … Continue Reading
March 03, 2020
Congresswomen Lee, González Colón Reintroduce Bill to Decriminalize and Destigmatize HIV/AIDS
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congresswoman Jenniffer González Colón, Co-Chairs of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, reintroduced the Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal (REPEAL) HIV Discrimination Act, which would modernize laws and policies to eliminate discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS. Federal and state laws, policies, and regulations should not place a unique or additional burden on individuals solely as a result … Continue Reading
February 29, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Slams the Trump Administration’s So-Called Afghanistan Peace Deal
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to the signing of the U.S.-Taliban Violence Reduction Deal: "After nearly two decades of endless war, it's become clear that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. But this so-called ?'peace deal' is anything but. "It leaves thousands of troops in Afghanistan and lacks the critical investments in peacebuilding, human-centered development, or governance reform needed to … Continue Reading
February 26, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Pass Antilynching Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted to pass H.R. 35, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, long overdue legislation to explicitly designate lynching as a hate crime under federal law. "It is fitting that this bill was named after Emmett Till. This promising, young, African American boy was only 14 years old when he was brutally murdered for allegedly flirting with a white woman. He was one of thousands who have been brutally murdered simply because of the color of their … Continue Reading
February 19, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Landmark Fellowship for Women in STEAM
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on her introduction of the Ronald V. Dellums Memorial Fellowship for Women of Color in STEAM and National Security Act: "I am pleased to reintroduce the Ronald V. Dellums Memorial Fellowship for Women of Color in STEAM and National Security Act, which will help open opportunities for women of color in the STEAM and national security sectors. Under this bill, 30 students, particularly women and students of color, … Continue Reading
February 14, 2020
Rep. Lee, Sen. Menendez Lead Bicameral Gun Safety Bill to Mandate Preservation, Disclosure of Federal Gun Data
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.-13) and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today introduced bicameral legislation to greatly enhance the ability of law enforcement to investigate and solve gun crimes, crackdown on gun trafficking and negligent gun dealers, and allow researchers-for the first time-to study gun violence and its impact on communities across the country. The Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act would require the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and … Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes for Gender Equality, Removing the ERA Deadline
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted yes on H.J.Res. 79, a resolution to remove an arbitrary deadline previously set by Congress for the States to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The Equal Rights Amendment simply states: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex," enshrining the principle of women's equality and an explicit prohibition against gender discrimination in the … Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds the Senate Vote on War Powers, Urges Further Action
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Senate approved a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to curb President Trump's military authority against Iran. In response, Congresswoman Lee released the following statement: "Just weeks after the House passed my legislation to repeal the 2002 Iraq AUMF, the Senate took another important step forward to stop endless war and curb Trump's warmongering - but there's still more work to be done. "Since day one, Trump and his administration have fanned the flames … Continue Reading
February 12, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Protect America’s Wilderness
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted to pass H.R. 2546, Protecting America's Wilderness Act, which designates approximately 1.3 million acres of wilderness and incorporates more than 1,000 river miles into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System across California, Colorado, and Washington. "Our public lands are one of the best resources we have to respond to the climate crisis. The Protecting America's Wilderness Act is an essential piece of House Democrats' commitment … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Congresswoman Lee Slams Trump’s Immoral and Dangerous Budget
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after President Trump released his FY21 budget proposal. "Trump's budget proposal is a direct reflection of his values and amounts to an all-out assault on everyday people. It slashes Medicaid, Medicare, nutrition assistance and vital programs that Americans rely on to make ends meet. Instead it funnels billions into a xenophobic border wall, and hundreds of billions more to unnecessary and already bloated … Continue Reading
February 06, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Strengthen Workers’ Power in the Workplace
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a bold proposal that strengthens workers' power to stand together and negotiate for bigger paychecks, better benefits, and safer working conditions. The PRO Act, which is the most significant upgrade to U.S. labor law in 80 years, is a direct response to the struggle that many hardworking families are facing to keep pace with the rising costs of education, child care, housing, and … Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Slams Mitch McConnell, Senate GOP for Sham Impeachment Trial
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after the Senate voted to acquit President Trump in an impeachment trial that had no witnesses or documents. "Today is a sad day for our democracy and our rule of law. After weeks of covering up the President's crimes and abuses of power, Senate Republicans put party loyalty over their oath of office and voted to acquit President Trump of all wrongdoing. "Let me be clear: the Senate did not conduct a fair … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Blasts Trump’s Lie-Filled State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to President Trump's third State of the Union Address. "Tonight, we heard Trump make a failed attempt to paint a positive picture of his leadership and the state of our nation. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth. "He is an impeached president who remains a national security threat, pushing cruel, inhumane, and extreme policies that undermine the very fabric of our nation. … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks at the Congressional Black Caucus National Black Leadership Summit
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee gave opening remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus National Black Leadership Summit. Today, over 600 Black leaders from around the country joined the Congressional Black Caucus for the National Black Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Participants came together to call national attention to two critical issues of the day for the Black community: 2020 Census and Voting Rights, both of which have implications for the development of … Continue Reading
February 03, 2020
Congresswoman Barbara Lee invites Sherry Hirota, CEO of Asian Health Services, to the State of the Union
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced that Oakland resident Sherry Hirota, CEO of Asian Health Services, will join her as her guest at the State of the Union on February 4. For more than 40 years, Ms. Hirota has championed underserved communities and has made an impact fighting for health care as a right, not a privilege. She has served as CEO of Asian Health Services since 1982, which has created a local model that sets the highest standards for community health … Continue Reading