Press Releases
Poverty Task Force Leaders Urge President Biden to Address Criminalization of Homelessness in FY 2025 Budget Request
Washington, DC - Representative Barbara Lee, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Poverty Task Force, today led members of the Task Force is a letter urging President Biden to address the criminalization of homelessness in his upcoming FY 2025 budget request to Congress. The letter was also sent by Rep. Cori Bush, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness and Vice Chair on Criminalization of the Poverty Task Force; Rep. James P. McGovern, Vice Chair on Hunger; and Rep. Bobby Scott, … Continue Reading
February 01, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Black History Month
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today released the following statement celebrating the start of Black History Month, observed each year during the month of February. “Today marks the first day of Black History Month, a time in which we reflect on the legacy of African Americans who have dedicated their lives to advancing civil rights, equity, and economic justice. But Black History cannot be limited to one month. It is a continuous opportunity to celebrate the resilience … Continue Reading
January 30, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Attack on U.S. Military Base in Jordan
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the attack on U.S. servicemembers in Northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border over the weekend: “I am heartbroken by the loss of the three American servicemembers killed in Jordan. I send my deepest condolences to the loved ones of these courageous individuals. My father was a veteran. He served in World War II and the Korean War. I know firsthand the sacrifices our servicemembers and their families make. … Continue Reading
January 19, 2024
Reps. Lee, Tlaib, Sen. Sanders, Colleagues Reintroduce Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act to Rein in Corporate Greed
WASHINGTON, DC - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ed Markey (D-MA) reintroduced the Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act (H.R. 7041, S. 3620) yesterday to rein in corporate greed and improve pay equity. In 2022, big company CEOs were paid 344 times as much as a typical worker, up from an average pay ratio of just 21 to 1 in 1965. Among the 100 S&P 500 corporations with the lowest … Continue Reading
January 18, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Removal from House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement after she was denied attendance at a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere hearing on Cuba policy by the Republican Chair, Representative María Elvira Salazar. It is standard practice in Congress for members to be granted waivers to attend hearings for subcommittees they do not actively sit on. The denial of this waiver to Congresswoman Lee is unprecedented. “Rep. Salazar’s censorship … Continue Reading
January 15, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is observed annually as a national day of service on the third Monday of January in honor of the civil rights leader’s birthday on January 15, 1929: “Today, we honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of our country’s most historic trailblazers of the civil rights movement and a dedicated advocate in the pursuit of racial justice, equality, peace … Continue Reading
January 12, 2024
Reps. Lee, Blumenauer Reintroduce RESPECT Resolution to Encourage Equality & Inclusion in Cannabis Industry
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, reintroduced the Realizing Equitable & Sustainable Participation in Emerging Cannabis Trades (RESPECT) Resolution, which encourages equity and inclusion in the growing cannabis industry. “Cannabis equity is overdue. I am proud to reintroduce the RESPECT Resolution, which aims to elevate the importance of equity within the legal cannabis … Continue Reading
January 06, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Recognizes Third Anniversary of January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the third anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol that occurred January 6, 2021: "Three years ago today, a violent mob tried to overthrow the democratic process with sheer force. Like many others, I thought I could lose my life that day to the darkest parts of America: hatred, extremism, and bigotry. “I will be forever grateful to the brave officers who protected the Capitol that day. We must never … Continue Reading
January 02, 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Biden Administration Weapons Sale to Israel
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, released the following statement on the Biden Administration’s decision to bypass Congress on an emergency weapons sale to Israel: “As we watch this dire situation in Israel and Gaza unfold, it is imperative that the government of the United States be accountable to the people of the United States. It's truly unacceptable that this administration transferred … Continue Reading
January 01, 2024
Congresswoman Lee Wishes Constituents a Happy New Year
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement celebrating the New Year. "Happy New Year! "In 2023, House Democrats fought to put people over politics and meet the urgent needs of working people. But instead of doing their jobs, House Republicans spent the year dragging our economy to the brink with a devastating default on our debt and two government shutdowns. They even paralyzed Congress for nearly a month after ousting their own Speaker. "The American people … Continue Reading
December 21, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates $50 Million in Funding from the Biden-Harris Administration to Environmental Justice Projects in California
OAKLAND, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) celebrated $50 million in funding awarded to California-based environmental justice projects as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The Biden-Harris Administration announced that California-based Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, Inc. (SEE) has been selected to serve as the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 9 Grantmaker. SEE will receive $50,000,000 under EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving … Continue Reading
December 21, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Allyship Act to Better Support Peaceful Protestors in Iran
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today introduced the Allyship Act to shift United States policy towards Iran in a direction that better supports peaceful protestors and their allies while holding the regime accountable. Since September 2022, Iranians have been organizing and protesting to demand peaceful change in Iran. The Iranian regime's brutal response to these protests, marked by excessive force, arbitrary arrests, torture, and execution spree has left many individuals … Continue Reading
December 20, 2023
CBC TECH2025 Co-Chairs Lee and Cleaver Lead Congressional Black Caucus Members in Expressing Concerns over Widespread Tech Layoffs Disproportionately Impacting Black Americans
Washington, DC - CBC TECH2025 Co-Chairs Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), along with CBC Future of Work Taskforce Co-Chairs Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At Large District) sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su to request information in response to recent reports highlighting the impacts of widespread layoffs within the tech industry and its disproportionate impacts on the African American community and women. Since the … Continue Reading
December 14, 2023
House Democratic Caucus Poverty Task Force, Congressional Caucus on Homelessness Hold Meeting on Criminalization of Poverty
WASHINGTON, DC - The House Democratic Caucus Poverty Task Force and Congressional Caucus on Homelessness convened on Wednesday, December 14th for a member-level meeting to discuss ongoing local, state, and federal policies that criminalize homelessness. The meeting was led by Rep. Barbara Lee, Chair of the Poverty Task Force; Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness; Rep. Cori Bush, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness and Vice Chair on … Continue Reading
December 14, 2023
Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on Vandalism of Lake Merritt Menorah
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today released the following statement on the destruction of the large Menorah on display at Lake Merritt in Oakland: “I’m deeply saddened and disheartened that the Lake Merritt Menorah was destroyed earlier this week. My heart and prayers go out to the Jewish community in Oakland, and I strongly condemn this vile act of antisemitism. “Last night, Oaklanders salvaged the menorah and gathered together to celebrate its re-lighting, spreading … Continue Reading
December 14, 2023
Representatives Lee, Jayapal, House Democrats Call on FTC to Closely Review Kroger-Albertsons Merger
Oakland, CA - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) led a group of 16 members of Congress in a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to carefully scrutinize the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, the largest and second-largest supermarket chains in the US. “This proposal is the culmination of a decades-long consolidation trend, led by these two companies, that has eliminated neighborhood stores, leading to higher prices, while also creating … Continue Reading
December 05, 2023
ICYMI: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Wins Award at DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness Benefit Concert Powered by Gilead Sciences
Los Angeles, California - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, was recognized at the DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness benefit concert powered by Gilead Sciences. The annual benefit concert, which is executive produced and hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and The DIVA Foundation, helps raise awareness and funds for programs that promote the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening health … Continue Reading
December 01, 2023
On World AIDS Day, Congresswoman Lee Calls for Bipartisan Reauthorization of PEPFAR
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, released the below statement on World AIDS Day, observed on December 1st of each year. “World AIDS Day is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible progress we have made toward becoming an AIDS-free generation, saving 25 million lives through transformative programs like PEPFAR. However, this year is different from years past, as we face a stalemate in Congress to reauthorize this critical … Continue Reading
November 30, 2023
Lee, Pelosi, Huffman Announce Bay Area Ferry Service to Receive $22 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and Congressman Jared Huffman announced that the San Francisco Bay Area is set to receive nearly $22 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation under President Joe Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This federal funding, which Congresswoman Lee, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, and Congressman Huffman advocated for, will help modernize the Bay Area’s ferry system by accelerating the San … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023
Representatives Lee, Castro, Jayapal and Senators Booker, Durbin and Hirono Urge Biden Administration to Expand Health Coverage to DACA Recipients
Washington, DC - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) joined with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) to call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to finalize their proposed rule to expand health coverage for those participating in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, crime victims, and immigrant children. In April 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services … Continue Reading