Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks Labor Day
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in observance of Labor Day: "American families are working harder than ever to put food on the table, pay the rent, afford child care and save for a secure retirement. But despite unprecedented productivity and record profits for big corporations, wages for middle and low-income workers, especially communities of color, have stagnated and, in some cases, even declined. Simply put, the middle class is being … Continue Reading
August 18, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on the Passing of Kofi Annan
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement reflecting on the life and legacy of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan: "UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was a force for peace and justice in the world who reminded us all of our shared humanity. He leaves an unmatched legacy - a safer, healthier and more open world. "I had the honor of working with Secretary-General Annan on many occasions, most notably on the creation of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, … Continue Reading
August 16, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on the Passing of Aretha Franklin
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement remembering the life and legacy of Aretha Franklin: "I'm deeply saddened by the passing of the Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Aretha Franklin used her voice not only to entertain, but also to inspire and empower others. She showed the world that every person is worthy and deserving of respect. "Aretha's music was a source of strength and inspiration for women, especially African American women including myself. … Continue Reading
August 03, 2018
Congresswoman Lee: PEPFAR Reauthorization is “Testament to Bipartisan Cooperation”
Washington, D.C. - Today Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), along with their colleagues Chairman Ed Royce (CA-39), Ranking Member Eliot Engel (NY-16), Ranking Member Karen Bass (CA-37), and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), reintroduced the PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act, H.R. 6651. "For the last 15 years, PEPFAR has been a testament to the bipartisan cooperation on U.S. leadership in global public health. Thanks to PEPFAR, millions of lives … Continue Reading
August 02, 2018
Rep. Barbara Lee: Statement on Passing of Joel Silberman
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the passing of Joel Silberman: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Joel Silberman. Joel lived his life in service of others. He was a tireless champion for progressive politics, LGBT equality, and justice for all. He was a loyal friend, and his sense of humor was only rivaled by his compassion and thoughtfulness. Joel's passing is a major loss for the loss for the progressive community, who relied … Continue Reading
August 01, 2018
Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Submit Comments Opposing Title X Proposed Rule
Washington, DC - Today, the co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), released the following statement on the public comments from more than 170 Members of Congress to the proposed changes to the Title X program: "For decades, Title X-funded programs have provided access to primary and reproductive health care to underserved communities all across our country. The program has been emblematic of a long history of bipartisan … Continue Reading
July 30, 2018
Rep. Barbara Lee: Statement on Passing of Congressman Ron Dellums
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on Congressman Ron Dellums: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm the passing of a great warrior and statesman, Congressman Ron Dellums. The contributions that Congressman Dellums made to our East Bay community, the nation, and the world are too innumerable to count. "I feel blessed to have called Congressman Dellums my dear friend, predecessor, and mentor. I will miss him tremendously, and I will hold dear … Continue Reading
July 27, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Attends 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam
Washington, D.C. - Today, at the 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, Congresswoman Lee issued a call to action to the global community to end AIDS by 2030 and address discrimination and inequality in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. "If we fail to address the inequalities within our communities, this turning point in our struggle to end AIDS will become a missed opportunity. Stigma, discrimination and inequality are holding us back," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "There … Continue Reading
July 25, 2018
Lee, Serrano Applaud Passage of Amendment Extending Disaster Unemployment Assistance for Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congressman Jose Serrano (NY-15) offered an amendment to the FY19 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill extending disaster unemployment assistance by one year for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The amendment was accepted into the bill with bipartisan support. "The people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are still suffering from the destruction wreaked by Hurricanes Irma and Maria," said Congresswoman Lee. "As … Continue Reading
July 24, 2018
Congresswoman Lee’s Statement on Tragic Attack at MacArthur BART Station
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding the tragic stabbing of Nia and Letifah Wilson on BART: "Our entire East Bay community is mourning the senseless loss of Nia Wilson, a bright young woman with so much promise. My deepest condolences are with the Wilson family, and I join countless others in praying for Letifah Wilson's speedy recovery. Thank you to all the first responders and law enforcement officials for their heroic work treating the … Continue Reading
July 23, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Bid for House Democratic Caucus Chair
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee sent a letter to her Democratic colleagues announcing her candidacy for Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the 116th Congress. Below is the text of the letter: Dear Colleague: I am so inspired to fight alongside you as we work to win back the majority. There is nothing more important than returning bold Democratic leadership to Congress. With that in mind, I'm excited to announce that I am seeking the position of House Democratic Caucus Chair for … Continue Reading
July 13, 2018
Sudan and South Sudan Caucus Statement on UN Sanctions
Washington, D.C. - Sudan and South Sudan Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-17), and Congressman Michael Capuano (MA-7) released the following statement on the UN's vote to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan: "We applaud the United Nations Security Council for passing this long overdue resolution imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan. This is an important first step towards addressing the human suffering and brutal conflict in South … Continue Reading
July 13, 2018
Hoyer, Lee Statement on the Trump Administration's Assertion That the War on Poverty is Over
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, released the following statement in response to to the Trump Administration's statement that the War on Poverty is "largely over and a success" in their argument for work requirements: "President Trump's Administration is flat wrong, and this statement displays its utter ignorance of the poverty challenges our … Continue Reading
July 11, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Slams Trump Administration Plan to Pay for Child Detentions with Ryan White HIV/AIDS Funding
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding reports that the Trump Administration has been reallocating money from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to cover the cost of detaining immigrant children: "This is a stunning and cynical breach of public trust. Taking money away from lifesaving HIV/AIDS care to fund jailing immigrant children is completely unacceptable. "Not only am I disappointed to see the Trump Administration once again shortchange … Continue Reading
July 09, 2018
Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs DeGette and Lee on President Trump’s Nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court
Washington, DC -- Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) tonight issued this statement in reaction to President Donald J. Trump's nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court: "We are deeply concerned about how Judge Brett Kavanaugh might rule on cases involving women's health in general, privacy, and access to the full range of reproductive care services, including abortion care - a right that since 1973 has been protected under … Continue Reading
June 29, 2018
Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity Concludes Milwaukee Pathways Out of Poverty Listening Tour
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity Chair, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), visited Milwaukee, Wisconsin as part of their Pathways Out of Poverty Listening Tour. They were joined by Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04). Earlier this month, Whip Hoyer and Rep. Lee visited Dallas, Texas on the first leg of the Listening Tour. "Today, I was proud to join Rep. Lee and Rep. Moore in Milwaukee to … Continue Reading
June 27, 2018
Pro-Choice Leaders Statement on Justice Anthony Kennedy Retirement
Washington, D.C. - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement on the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy: "For decades, Roe v. Wade has protected women's fundamental right to control our own bodies and make our own decisions. "With Justice Kennedy's retirement, that essential freedom hangs in the balance. President Trump, Vice President Pence and Leader McConnell want to exploit this vacancy to … Continue Reading
June 27, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Federal Court Decision to End Family Separation
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to the decision by Judge Dana Sabraw of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California to bar the separation of migrant children from their parents and require the reunification of families within 30 days: "Last night, our court system made it clear that President Trump's zero-tolerance policy is inhumane and unlawful. Separating and caging innocent children from their parents … Continue Reading
June 27, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Janus v. AFSCME Council 31
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement condemning the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31: "The Supreme Court decision today attacks the basic freedoms of working people to organize and secure a better life for their families. American workers are more productive than ever - but the excessive power of greedy corporate interests prevents families from getting ahead. "Through labor unions, working people have a collective voice … Continue Reading
June 26, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Statement on “Muslim Ban” SCOTUS Decision
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after the Supreme Court announced their decision on Trump v. Hawaii: "This is a dark day for America. The Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. Hawaii betrays our constitution and advances fear, rather than facts. This decision echoes the notorious 1944 ruling in Korematsu v. United States, which allowed the federal government to peddle xenophobia and deny families their basic human rights. Trump v. Hawaii will … Continue Reading