Press Releases
Reps. David Trone, Barbara Lee, Don Bacon, Susie Lee Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Repeal the Ban on Pell Grants for Incarcerated Students
Washington, DC - Today, Representative David Trone (D- MD) along with Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Susie Lee (D-NV), announced the introduction of the bipartisan Expanding Educational Opportunities for Justice-Impacted Communities Act. The new bill would repeal the ban on the receipt of Pell Grants by incarcerated individuals and the loss of federal financial aid eligibility for individuals convicted of certain drug offenses. The group will seek to pass the bill when … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates the Passage of the PRIDE Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to the passage of the PRIDE Act, which amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for equal treatment of same-sex married couples, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, founding member and Vice-Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, released the following statement: "In passing the PRIDE Act, we celebrate our diversity and correct a wrong against same-sex couples across the country who have been denied tax refunds merely because of who they are and the person that they … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds the Introduction of the Bipartisan Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act
Washington, D.C. - In response to the introduction of the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Cuba Working Group, released the following statement: "As the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Cuba Working Group, I am proud to join Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Tom Emmer (D-MN), and my colleagues today in introducing H.R. 3960, the bipartisan Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act to end restrictions against U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba. Every … Continue Reading
July 24, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Appropriations Hearing on the Homestead Child Detention Facility
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Earlier today, following the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Subcommittee hearing on Oversight of the Unaccompanied Children Program: Ensuring the Safety of Children in HHS Care hearing with the director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Appropriations Committee Member Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement: "It is more evident than ever that the Homestead Child Detention Facility is ineffective in protecting the physical, mental, and … Continue Reading
July 24, 2019
Congresswoman Lee Responds to Special Counsel’s Judiciary Committee Testimony
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, in response to Special Counsel Mueller's testimony to the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement: "At this morning's hearings, Special Counsel Mueller made it clear - despite what President Trump has falsely insisted - that his report did not exonerate the President of obstruction of justice. Mueller made it clear that there was evidence to support that charge, but the Department of Justice was not … Continue Reading
July 23, 2019
Hoyer, Lee Statement on USDA's Proposal to Put More Than Three Million Americans At Risk of Going Hungry
WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Chair of the Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement today following the Department of Agriculture's announcement that it will limit eligibility requirements to its nutrition assistance program: "The Department of Agriculture's announcement today that it will impose new restrictions on eligibility for nutrition assistance could result in more than 3 million … Continue Reading
July 23, 2019
Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs Barbara Lee and Earl Blumenauer Applaud the Introduction of Landmark Cannabis Reform Legislation
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, today issued the following statements after the introduction of comprehensive cannabis reform legislation, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, by Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler: "For far too long, our federal cannabis policies have been rooted in the past. As states continue to modernize how we regulate cannabis, … Continue Reading
July 18, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Pass Raise the Wage Act, Increase Pay for Up to 33 Million American Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee voted to pass the Raise the Wage Act, landmark legislation to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 over six years. According to independent economic analysis, the bill would increase pay for up to 33 million American workers, including 16 million people of color. This bill would also lift 1.3 million Americans out of poverty - including 600,000 children. She released the following statement after the final passage: "This is … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
PCC Statement on Immediate Effects of Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ Decision on Title X
Washington, D.C. - Pro-Choice Caucus co-chairs Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) issued this statement on the Trump Administration's announcement on Monday that it will immediately enact its Title X domestic gag rule, following a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals allowing it to go into effect: "The Trump Administration's decision to immediately implement its Title X gag rule is another reckless attack on people's reproductive rights, and … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
As Administration Escalates Tensions with Iran, Reps. Lee, Price, and Schakowsky Introduce Resolution for U.S. Re-entry into Iran Nuclear Agreement
Washington, D.C. - As tensions rise with Iran, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congressman David Price (D-NC), and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced a resolution to urge the Trump administration to re-enter the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear agreement. In addition to rejoining the JCPOA, the resolution encourages the Trump administration to engage in immediate de-escalation measures and to use sustained diplomacy as a tool to address … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Congresswoman Lee Denounces the Conditions in the Homestead Child Detention Facility, Calls on President Trump to End Immigrant Detention
HOMESTEAD, FL - Today, Congresswoman Lee visited an immigration shelter for unaccompanied children in Homestead, Florida, with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education, and other members of the subcommittee. After the visit, Congresswoman Lee released the following statement: "I am deeply disturbed and concerned about the conditions that I have witnessed. From classrooms not conducive to learning to … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes No on the Wasteful National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives: "Every year, Congress has the opportunity to reassess our national security priorities and work towards lasting peace. "While the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act included many provisions I support, including strong protections for transgender servicemembers, paid family and medical leave, and … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds the House’s Historic Vote to Repeal the 2002 Iraq Authorization for the Use of Military Force
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force: "Congress took a historic step today to stop our endless wars. The House just passed my amendment to repeal the outdated 2002 Iraq Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) - seventeen years after it was first passed. "Intended to address the perceived threat posed by the regime of Saddam … Continue Reading
July 04, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls Trump’s Fourth of July Military Parade ‘Outrageous and Dangerous’
Washington D.C. - In response to the President-sanctioned Fourth of July "Salute to America" celebration held on the National Mall today, U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "As the daughter of a military veteran who fought in two wars, I proudly honor the service men and women of our military armed forces. However, I find the militarization of the Fourth of July by this President to be outrageous and dangerous. "It is ironic that in his speech the President … Continue Reading
July 03, 2019
Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs Statement on Facebook Civil Rights Audit Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs Rep. G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13) gave the following statement on Facebook's civil rights audit report. The nearly 30-page document is the product of dozens of meetings with Facebook's appointed civil rights ambassador, Laura Murphy and nearly 90 civil rights groups who have called for Facebook to take meaningful and aggressive action to combat extremist or racist content on … Continue Reading
July 02, 2019
Democrats Urge HHS Secretary to End Restrictions on Using Fetal Tissue for Scientific Research
Washington, D.C. - Today, 33 House Democrats strongly urged Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to reconsider the Administration's decision to eliminate the use of fetal tissue that can help further important life-saving scientific research. In a letter led by Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), they asked Secretary Azar to explain how his department came to a decision that could have such a profoundly … Continue Reading
July 01, 2019
Congresswoman Lee Condemns Reports of Violence in Sudan and Urges Support for Transition to a Civilian-led Government
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to reports of violence and killing over the weekend during peaceful protests in Sudan, Sudan Caucus Chair Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement: "I am deeply concerned by reports of at least seven people killed and another 181 people wounded during peaceful protests in Sudan. "This violence is unacceptable, and I continue to call for an independent investigation into violence against peaceful protestors in Sudan. The United States must take a … Continue Reading
June 27, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Commends the Supreme Court's Decision on the 2020 Census
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Supreme Court blocked a citizenship question from being added to the 2020 Census. In response, Congresswoman Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "I applaud the Supreme Court's decision to effectively prevent the untested, unnecessary, and ill-timed citizenship question from being included in the 2020 Census today. "The U.S. Census should make our nation more equal and representative, not less. By weaponizing the Census, this Administration tried to … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Praises the Passage of Federal Spending Package to Invest in Our Veterans, Environmental Justice, and Combating Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to yesterday's House passage of a federal spending package that funds the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Agriculture, Interior, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Energy, House Appropriations Committee Member Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "With the passage of this bill, House Democrats are reaffirming our commitment to bettering our communities - including a positive impact on the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Rep. Lee Joins Sen. Sanders, Reps. Jayapal and Omar to Introduce Groundbreaking Bills to Ensure College For All and Eliminate All Student Debt
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Lee joined Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in unveiling landmark legislation to eliminate tuition and fees at all public four-year colleges and universities, as well as make community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs tuition- and fee-free for all. The proposal also eliminates all $1.6 trillion in student debt for 45 million Americans. Rep. Barbara Lee is an original co-sponsor on the bill, which … Continue Reading