Press Releases
Pro-Choice Leaders: SCOTUS Decision on Crisis Centers Will Hurt Women
Washington, D.C. - Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), alongside House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), released the following statement after the Supreme Court Decision on National Institute of Family and Life Advocates vs. Becerra: "Today, the Supreme Court sided with anti-choice extremists over women. Its decision will directly harm women and undermine … Continue Reading
June 21, 2018
Hoyer, Lee Statement on Trump Administration's Proposed Reorganization of Anti-Poverty Programs
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 President Trump's plan to merge the Departments of Education and Labor: "Once again, President Trump is working to pull the rug out from under working families. The plan to merge the Departments of Education and Labor is a thinly veiled attempt to cut essential … Continue Reading
June 20, 2018
Congresswoman Lee’s Statement on House Republican Budget
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on the House Republicans Fiscal Year 2019 budget resolution: "The federal budget is a moral document. It shows the principles and priorities of a nation. The budget introduced by House Republicans this week clearly shows how little they value American families. "Speaker Ryan has taken every opportunity to attack the basics that families rely on - like health care, social security, affordable education and clean air and … Continue Reading
June 20, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Requests United Nations Observers to Investigate Family Separations on the U.S. Border
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee sent a letter to António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General, requesting that the United Nations send humanitarian observers to the United States to investigate the Trump administration's policy separating families on the border. In the letter, Congresswoman Lee wrote, "I am appalled by the reports and images from detention facilities in Texas and other states along the border, where more than 2,300 children have been separated from … Continue Reading
June 19, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Marks 153rd Observance of Juneteenth
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in observance of Juneteenth: "Today we pause to celebrate Juneteenth. On this day in 1865, news of emancipation reached enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas. As a native Texan whose grandfather was born in Galveston, this day has always been a day of reflection and inspiration to me. "Juneteenth - or Freedom Day - is both a day to celebrate emancipation and contemplate the darkest chapter in American … Continue Reading
June 19, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Slams U.S. Withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement on the Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council: "I am outraged, but frankly not surprised, by the Trump administration's announcement that the United States will withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council. "This decision serves no purpose other than to weaken our leadership on the world stage and isolate us from our allies. With sensitive negotiations underway with … Continue Reading
June 15, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement marking Caribbean American Heritage Month: "Communities across the United States are home to proud, diverse Caribbean Americans. Every June, we celebrate the important contributions made by Caribbean Americans with Caribbean American Heritage Month. "Caribbean Americans bring tremendous pride, love and dedication to this nation. They are our teachers, doctors, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and artists - their hard work … Continue Reading
June 14, 2018
Congresswoman Lee Introduces Resolution on Equality & Inclusion in Cannabis Industry
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee (CA-13) introduced the Realizing Equitable & Sustainable Participation in Emerging Cannabis Trades (RESPECT) Resolution, which encourages equity in the cannabis industry. "There's no question that there is growing momentum - both within Congress and nationwide - for cannabis legalization. However, as we move into this new era, we must learn from the failed War on Drugs and ensure that entrepreneurs of color are included in this expanding … Continue Reading
June 13, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on the Passing of Dorothy Cotton
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement upon the passing of Civil Rights Leader Dorothy Cotton: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of civil rights icon Dorothy Cotton. Women like Dorothy were the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement - unsung heroes - who devoted countless hours and dedicated themselves to the fight for equal rights. As the Educational Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dorothy was a trailblazer. She educated African … Continue Reading
June 13, 2018
Congressional Resolution Honors Golden State Warriors’ Championship Season
Washington, D.C. - Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Kamala Harris, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (all D-Calif.) today introduced a resolution honoring the Golden State Warriors on winning back-to-back championships and three of the last four NBA Finals. "The Warriors proved they're one of the NBA's great dynasties, sweeping the Cavaliers to win their third NBA championship in four years," said Senator Feinstein. "Coach Kerr, KD, Steph, Klay, Draymond and the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2018
Rep. Barbara Lee Slams GOP Flip-Flop on 2001 AUMF Amendment
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee's amendment to sunset the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force was defeated on a party-line vote in the House Appropriations Committee. The amendment would have sunset the 2001 AUMF eight months after the bill's enactment, giving Congress plenty of time to debate and vote on a new authorization. Last year, Congresswoman Lee offered an identical amendment that was adopted with overwhelming bipartisan support. "I am deeply … Continue Reading
June 12, 2018
Pelosi, Lee Invite Golden State Warriors to the U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. - Today, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Barbara Lee sent a letter to Coach Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors inviting the team and their families to the U.S. Capitol in celebration of their 2018 NBA Championship win. Leader Pelosi and Rep. Lee wrote, "With your third title in the last four years, the Golden State Warriors have once again dazzled America with your outstanding performance on the court and inspired leadership off the court. You continue … Continue Reading
June 12, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on Singapore Summit with Kim Jong-Un
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on President Trump's summit with Kim Jong-Un in Singapore: "As a lifelong advocate for diplomacy, I am pleased that the U.S. has started direct talks with North Korea to denuclearize and deescalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. "Diplomacy takes time. The Trump Administration must be prepared to engage in the hard work of negotiation. President Trump needs to stop sidelining experts and rebuild our diplomatic … Continue Reading
June 08, 2018
Social Workers in Congress Lee, Shea-Porter, Davis, Gutiérrez, and Bass Joint Statement on Child Separations at the Border
Washington, D.C. - Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the Congressional Social Work Caucus, Congresswomen Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53), Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez (IL-04), and Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37) released the following statement on the Trump Administration's "zero tolerance" policy, which is currently separating children from their parents at the border: "The Trump Administration's policy of separating children from their parents is terrifying … Continue Reading
June 07, 2018
Congresswoman Lee: Funding Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons Heightens the Risks of Nuclear War
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the defeat of her amendment to defund the $65 million allocated for low-yield nuclear weapons: "There is no such thing as a small nuclear weapon. Spending $65 million on a low-yield nuclear weapon - with unprecedented submarine-launch capability - heightens the risk of nuclear war. We should be de-escalating tensions with our allies, not provoking a new nuclear arms race. "I am disappointed that Congress … Continue Reading
June 04, 2018
Hoyer, Lee Statement on United Nations Official’s Statement on Trump Administration's Role in Exacerbating Poverty in the U.S.
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 after a United Nations official said the Trump Administration's policies were exacerbating the wealth and income gap in the United States:"The assessment by the United Nations official monitoring global poverty that the Trump Administration's actions are exacerbating … Continue Reading
June 01, 2018
Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity Concludes Dallas Pathways Out of Poverty Listening Tour
Washington, D.C. - Today, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity Chair, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), along with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) and Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), visited Dallas, Texas, as part of their Pathways Out of Poverty Listening Tour. In Dallas, the Members visited three sites developing innovative solutions to reduce poverty and expand opportunity, including Bonton Farms, … Continue Reading
May 25, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks Memorial Day
Oakland, C.A. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement marking Memorial Day: "Every year, Memorial Day is a time for our nation to convey our gratitude to the brave service members who gave their lives in heroic service protecting and defending our country. As the daughter of a veteran, I am deeply grateful to the members of our military who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this nation. My prayers are with their families and loved ones today. "President John Kennedy … Continue Reading
May 24, 2018
Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Marks 15 Years of PEPFAR
Washington, D.C. - This May, Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) marked the 15th Anniversary of the signing of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). "As an original author of PEPFAR, I am incredibly proud of the progress we've made in the last 15 years to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic. PEPFAR has saved millions of lives around the world and helped those with the disease live with dignity and … Continue Reading
May 24, 2018
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Slams Irresponsible, Wasteful National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives: "The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an opportunity for Congress to take a hard look at our national security priorities and ensure that our voice is heard on matters of war and peace. Sadly, once again, Congress has chosen to squander this chance and kick the can down the road. "The FY19 NDAA does nothing to … Continue Reading