Press Releases
Pro-Choice Caucus Statement on Court’s Decision to Allow Trump’s Title X ‘Gag Rule’ to Take Effect
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), the co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, released the following statement today in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit's decision to temporarily allow the Trump Administration's Title X Domestic gag rule to go into effect while the underlying lawsuit challenging its legality remains pending: "The Ninth Circuit's decision ruling that the Trump gag rule can go into effect threatens access to … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Congresswoman Lee Applauds House Passage of her Provision to Sunset the 2001 Military Authorization
Washington D.C. -- In response to the inclusion and passage of her language to sunset the 2001 Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF) in H.R. 2470, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Legislative Branch, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act (LHHS) for the fiscal year 2020, House Appropriations Committee Member Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "My amendment to repeal the 2001 AUMF was … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Congresswoman Lee Commends the House Budget Committee’s Hearing on Poverty in America
Washington, D.C. - Today, following the House Budget Committee's Poverty in America: Economic Realities of Struggling Families hearing with the Poor People's Campaign, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Member of the Budget Committee and Chair of the Majority Leader's Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, released the following statement: "Today's hearing is not only timely, but necessary. According to the Poor People's Moral Budget: Everybody Has the Right to Live, more than 140 million Americans … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Hoyer, Lee Lead Letter to the Office of Management and Budget Director Opposing Changes to the Official Poverty Calculation
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity Chair Barbara Lee (CA-13) sent a letter to Acting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought urging him not to implement the recently announced changes to the federal poverty calculations. Majority Leader Hoyer and Chair Lee were joined on the letter by Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21), Vice Chair on Rural Poverty; Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Vice Chair on Urban Poverty; … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Reps. Barbara Lee and Ayanna Pressley Lead a Health Care Discussion with Faith Leaders
OAKLAND, CA -- On Friday, June 14, 2019, Reps. Barbara Lee and Ayanna Pressley led a discussion with faith leaders from the East Bay on health care and voting rights at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland. "We're facing unprecedented attacks on the health care of Americans," Rep. Lee told several dozen faith leaders. "The Trump administration and the GOP are undermining access to health care by continuing their crusade to do away with the Affordable Care Act and trying to roll back … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Condemns Ongoing Attacks Against Peaceful Protesters in Sudan
Washington, D.C. - Following reports of continued violence in Sudan, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement: "I am saddened and appalled by the continued attacks on peaceful protestors in Sudan. Reports indicate that over 100 people have been killed and that more than 784 people have been injured. Additionally, there are grave reports of sexual violence against protestors and that medical facilities have been targeted by security forces. This is unacceptable. "I strongly … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Barbara Lee Statement on Fiscal Year 20 Department of Homeland Security and Financial Services and General Government Bills
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to the House Appropriations Committee's passage of the fiscal year Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, House Appropriations Committee Member Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "The fiscal year 2020 Homeland Security bill makes targeted investments in disaster relief, resources to meet the humanitarian needs of migrants, and programs proven to keep Americans safe. Importantly, this bill protect our communities … Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Statement from Congresswoman Barbara Lee on D-Day and the contributions of African Americans
In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released this statement: "As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, we honor the African American men who risked their lives for freedoms denied to them in the United States. Two units - the Tuskegee Airmen and the 92nd infantry - were instrumental in the success of Normandy and the Allied advance. Known as the Buffalo Soldiers, the 92nd infantry was a segregated, all-black military unit - among … Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Reintroduces Resolution to Increase Access to Affordable Housing
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H.RES. 429, reaffirming that all people deserve access to safe, affordable, and decent housing. The resolution supports expanded federal funding of affordable housing programs and affirms expansion of renters' rights because housing is a basic human right. "We are facing an affordable housing crisis, which is why I am proud to introduce my Renter Bill of Rights Resolution," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "This resolution … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Passage of FY2020 Transportation and Housing Appropriations Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to the House Appropriations Committee’s passage of the fiscal year 2020 appropriations bill for FY20 Transportation and Housing Appropriations, House Appropriations Committee Member Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: “This year’s Transportation and Housing Appropriations bill will provide robust investments in our transit and housing programs. In total, the legislation provides … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Commends Passage of FY2020 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to the House Appropriations Committee's passage of the Fiscal Year 2020 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Funding Bill, House Appropriations Committee Member Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "I am pleased to see this important and progressive bill pass," said Congresswoman Lee. "The bill touches the lives of every single person in this country, especially children, students, … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Bipartisan Cuba Working Group Statement on Increased Travel Restrictions to Cuba
Washington, D.C. - Following the Department of Treasury's announcement Tuesday to increase restrictions on travel from the United States to Cuba, the Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Cuba Working Group released the following statement: "Every American should have the right to travel freely. The Administration's decision to further restrict U.S. travel to Cuba not only infringes upon that right, it undercuts efforts to help promote democracy and improve the lives of the Cuban people. The United … Continue Reading
June 04, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Praises the American Dream and Promise Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) joined her House Democratic colleagues in passing HR 6- The American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, where she delivered this speech on the Floor of the House of Representative before its passage: "Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, but I also want to thank her for her tireless and longstanding steadiness and leadership in support of our Dreamers. "Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6, which ensures the … Continue Reading
May 31, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates 2019 Pride Month, 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee celebrated the start of 2019 Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots by releasing the following statement: "Every year, we recognize June as Pride month across the country and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of LGBTQ Americans. This year is especially important as we mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and a half-century of fighting for LGBTQ liberation. "On June 28, 1969, at the … Continue Reading
May 24, 2019
Congressional Pro-Choice Leaders Blast White House over Dangerous and Discriminatory Rule Gutting Affordable Care Act Protections
Washington, D.C. - In response to the Trump Administration's proposed rule that would gut Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which protects individuals from discrimination in health care on the basis of race, color, national origin and sex, including gender identity, pregnancy, age or disability, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Diana DeGette (CO-01), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus issued the following statement: "The Trump Administration's proposed rule … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Commends the Passage of the FY2020 Interior Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to the House Appropriations Committee's passage of the fiscal year 2020 appropriations bill for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "This important bill provides $37 billion in funding, which is $1.73 billion over FY2019 levels. "I am also pleased that this bill provides funding for important programs, including $10 million for competitive grants for Historically Black Colleges and … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Praises Commitments in the FY2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to the House Appropriations Committee's passage of the fiscal year 2020 appropriations bill for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) issued the following statement: "I am pleased to see a large increase in the FY2020 CJS Appropriations bill, which provides almost $74 billion in spending - a much-needed increase of close to $10 billion from FY2019 spending levels. This is funding for essential justice programs … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Congresswoman Lee Applauds the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Passed out of Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to the FY2020 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which passed committee on Tuesday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement: "As a member of the House Appropriations, I am pleased to see an Energy and Water bill that will ensure that America continues to build its energy infrastructure and that we protect our bodies of water for future generations. The bill is funded at $46.4 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion from fiscal year 2019 … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Sen. Bernie Sanders Introduce Inclusive Prosperity Act to Curb Wall Street Greed
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the Inclusive Prosperity Act along with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and more than a dozen House Democrats. The legislation imposes a tax of a fraction of a percent on the trades of stocks, bonds, and derivatives. This tax on Wall Street speculation, also known as a financial transaction tax, is estimated to generate up to $2.4 trillion in public revenue from wealthy … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Passes Defense Amendment That Would Repeal 2001 Endless War Authorization
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) successfully offered and passed an amendment today to the Defense Appropriations Act that would repeal the 2001 AUMF in eight months from the passage of the Act. The eight-month period will allow Congress time to draft new legislation to address ongoing wars. Rep. Lee has offered this amendment several times over the years and has long championed the need to repeal the outdated and overly broad authorization and force a debate and a vote on current … Continue Reading