Press Releases
Congresswoman Lee Commemorates Veterans Day
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, offered the following statement marking Veterans Day: "On Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who've served and sacrificed for the nation that we love. As the daughter of a veteran and a member of Congress, I'm committed to ensuring that we keep our promises to our veterans and military families who have served selflessly and answered out nation's call of … Continue Reading
November 09, 2018
DeGette, Lee and Lowey Condemn Trump Administration’s Post-Election Attacks on Women’s Health
Washington, DC - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), along with Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), condemned the Trump Administration's latest attempts to push through anti-choice actions that will further limit women's access to abortion and birth control. On Wednesday, the Department of Health and Human Services finalized two rules that would allow employers to opt out of the Affordable Care Act's birth control mandate. In addition, the … Continue Reading
November 05, 2018
Congresswoman Lee’s Statement on the 50th Anniversary of Shirley Chisholm’s Historic Election to Congress
Oakland, C.A. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement commemorating the 50th anniversary of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's first election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Congresswoman Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to Congress, and the first woman and first African American to seek the Democratic nomination for President: "I was incredibly lucky to meet my mentor and lifelong friend, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, when I was a college … Continue Reading
October 30, 2018
Congresswoman Lee: “Our Nation is in Mourning”
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement condemning the violent attacks on the Jewish and African American communities, and the domestic terrorist attacks targeting Democratic lawmakers: "Our nation is in mourning. We mourn the eleven lives stolen from us in the anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh and the two African Americans killed in a racially-motivated shooting in Kentucky. We share in the horror of the multiple bombing … Continue Reading
October 27, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Statement on Shooting in Pittsburgh
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to the shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:"This is a tragic day for America. My heart is with the entire Tree of Life Congregation and Pittsburgh community. Anti-semitism has no place in our country, and today is a devastating reminder of the work that remains to eliminate hate from our society."As we mourn this senseless tragedy, Congress must do more to prevent these horrific acts of gun violence. No one … Continue Reading
October 26, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Statement on Passing of Tyrone Gayle
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the passing of Tyrone Gayle: "Tyrone Gayle was an incredible young man and a dedicated public servant. He served our country with relentless optimism, a commitment to justice, and faith that change was possible. He will be missed by all who knew him - and by our nation, which is a better place because of his service. "My heart is with Tyrone's wife Beth, Senator Kamala Harris and her staff, and his family and … Continue Reading
October 13, 2018
Barbara Lee Joins Congressional Colleagues at Town Hall Discussion on Expanding Opportunities for Women of Color in the Health, Environmental Justice, and Tech Fields
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Saturday hosted a forum on the key issues facing women of color in the Bay Area in conjunction with the Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls. Around 100 constituents attended the event at Merritt College with Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Congresswoman Robin Kelly, focused on building opportunities for women of color in the health, environmental justice, and technology fields. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Allison Scott, Chief … Continue Reading
October 06, 2018
Congresswoman Lee: “This is a Dark Day in Our Country”
Oakland, C.A. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh: "This is a dark day for our country. Senate Republicans have installed a far-right justice with a disturbing personal and public record on women's rights and autonomy. And they've sent women and survivors of sexual assault a chilling message: politics come before justice in the U.S. Senate. "This confirmation vote will hurt American families for generations to come. Our civil, … Continue Reading
October 06, 2018
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Condemn Confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court
Washington, DC - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement on the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh: "This Senate confirmation makes a sham of our judicial heritage. Despite multiple credible allegations of sexual misconduct against Judge Kavanaugh, his complete lack of judicial temperament, and his concerning record on women's reproductive rights, Senate Republicans have pushed this nomination through and approved a … Continue Reading
October 05, 2018
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders: Kavanaugh is Unfit for the Supreme Court
Washington, DC - Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) today issued the following statement about Supreme Court Justice Nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh: "Our country should hold Supreme Court Justices, and those who aspire to be them, to the highest standard. Judge Kavanaugh fell far short in his Senate testimony last week, berating senators, making blatant and blame-shifting political statements, and telling outright lies. Mocking those who questioned him, … Continue Reading
October 05, 2018
DeFazio, Lee, Jones Demand Trump Administration Provide Documentation Justifying Continued US Involvement in Yemeni Civil War
WASHINGTON-Representatives Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Walter Jones (NC-03) Thursday led more than 50 members of Congress in sending a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanding he provide all documents justifying his decision to certify that the Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) coalition is making demonstrable efforts to reduce civilian casualties in Yemen's civil war. On September 12, Secretary Pompeo certified, as required by law, that … Continue Reading
October 04, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Congratulates AIDS 2020 Co-Chair Cynthia Carey-Grant
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement following the announcement of Oakland's Cynthia Carey-Grant as a co-chair of the 23rd International AIDS Conference: "Congratulations to Cynthia Carey-Grant on her appointment as co-chair of the 23rd International AIDS Conference. Cynthia has dedicated her life to fighting HIV/AIDS and helping those with the virus, including women of color and members of our transgender community, live with dignity. She has worked … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Congresswoman Lee: “Children Do Not Belong in Prisons”
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after new reports of the Trump Administration imprisoning over 2,000 immigrant children in "tent cities" in Texas: "Children don't belong in prisons. Incarcerating young kids seeking asylum in tent cities violates their human rights and endangers their wellbeing. "This issue isn't about party or politics - it's about right versus wrong. Our government is committing child abuse. If we fail to hold our leaders … Continue Reading
September 28, 2018
Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Slam Judiciary Committee Vote on Kavanaugh: “Senate Republicans Have Violated The Public’s Trust”
Washington, D.C. - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), today issued the following statement on the decision to move forward with a vote on Judge Kavanaugh's nomination, despite multiple credible accusations of sexual misconduct: "The decision to move ahead with a vote today cements what we've suspected all along: yesterday's hearing was a sham. If Senate Republicans took these allegations seriously, they would abandon their manufactured … Continue Reading
September 27, 2018
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders to Trump: Withdraw Kavanaugh Nomination
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) today called on President Donald J. Trump to withdraw the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh: "President Trump needs to do the right thing and remove Judge Kavanaugh from consideration for a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land," the two leaders said. "Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony showed there is plenty of reason to believe her. And as other … Continue Reading
September 25, 2018
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Call for Halt to Kavanaugh Confirmation Process, Seek Full and Fair Investigation
Washington, DC - Leaders of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus today called for a halt to the Supreme Court confirmation process for Judge Brett Kavanaugh and sought a full and fair investigation. Caucus Co-Chairs Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), together with Task Force leaders Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Katherine Clark (D-MA), issued the following statement: "Over the last … Continue Reading
September 24, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Condemns President Trump’s Latest Attack on Immigrant Families
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement after Trump Administration announcement of proposed changes to the Public Charge rule: "This proposed rule is yet another blatant attack from the Trump Administration on poor people and communities of color. Health and nutrition programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicare ensure families have the basics like food and health care. This rule could deny legal immigrants with U.S. citizen … Continue Reading
September 17, 2018
Bipartisan Letter Urges President Trump to Consult With Congress on Military Action in Syria
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and her colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to President Trump urging him to consult with Congress before taking any additional military actions in Syria. The letter, which Congresswoman Lee organized with her colleagues Congressman Justin Amash (R-MI), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY), also calls on President Trump to recommit to finding a diplomatic solution to … Continue Reading
September 12, 2018
Hoyer, Lee Statement on 2017 Census Bureau Report
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity, released the following statement after the U.S. Census Bureau released reports on poverty, income, and health coverage in 2017: "In spite of positive topline economic indicators, too many families are struggling just to make ends meet in an economy with deep structural challenges. According to the 2017 Census numbers, 39.7 … Continue Reading
September 12, 2018
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Welcome Dr. Leana Wen, Newly Appointed Planned Parenthood President
Washington, DC - Congresswomen Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, issued the following statement on today's appointment of Dr. Leana Wen as President of Planned Parenthood: "We want to extend our deepest congratulations to Planned Parenthood's new president, Dr. Leana Wen. This appointment could not have come at a more crucial time - when women's fundamental rights and freedoms are under an unprecedented assault. From the anti-women … Continue Reading