Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks Labor Day with Call to Raise the Minimum Wage
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in observance of Labor Day. "Our workforce is the most productive in world history. Yet despite constant innovation in manufacturing, technology and efficiency, millions of Americans remain locked out of the American dream. "In communities across this nation, discrimination and institutional barriers are holding wages stagnant and restricting opportunity. Sadly, women and communities of color bear the brunt … Continue Reading
August 22, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee & East Bay Leaders Stand Against Bigotry & Hate
Oakland, CA - Today, U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, California State Senator Nancy Skinner, California Assemblyman Rob Bonta, California Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin hosted a press conference to condemn hatred, bigotry and violence, ahead of a planned white nationalists rally in Berkeley. "President Trump has emboldened white nationalists but we must hold steadfast to our progressive values as a community, regardless of … Continue Reading
August 22, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hosts Immigrants’ Rights Forum
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted a forum to discuss the Trump Administration's immigration policies and the direct impact these policies will have on the East Bay. "We have already witnessed President Trump's enhanced deportation policies in our community, with the heartless deportation Maria & Eusebio Sanchez. Sadly, more members of our community are in danger of being forced to say goodbye to the communities they've called home for many years," said Congresswoman … Continue Reading
August 21, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee: There is No Military Solution in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to President Trump's announced plan to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan. "I am deeply troubled by President Trump's failure to outline a comprehensive strategy to bring an end to our nation's longest war. After sixteen years at war, one thing is clear: there is no military solution in Afghanistan. Any lasting peace in Afghanistan must be secured through diplomacy. Further military engagement will only put … Continue Reading
August 17, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls for Censure of President Trump After Remarks Excusing White Supremacists
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement after joining a resolution as an original co-sponsor calling for the censure of President Trump in the wake of his offensive remarks on August 15th when he asserted that "both sides" were to blame for the violence in Charlottesville and failed to fully denounce white supremacist and Neo-Nazi organizations: "I am horrified and outraged by President Trump's words and deeds following the violence in Charlottesville. Make no … Continue Reading
August 15, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Quad Caucus Demand Immediate Removal of Steve Bannon, Sebastian Gorka and Stephen Miller from White House
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and leadership of the Congressional Quad-Caucus - which is composed of chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) - sent a letter to President Donald Trump calling for the immediate removal of Steve Bannon, Sebastian Gorka and Stephen Miller from the White House. Bannon, Gorka and Miller serve as … Continue Reading
August 10, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Calls for De-Escalation of Tensions with North Korea
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee joined Ranking Member John Conyers and more than 60 of their Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urging the Trump Administration to exercise restraint with North Korea. "President Trump's belligerent rhetoric towards North Korea is dangerous. It's imperative that President Trump de-escalate tensions and pursue diplomacy with North Korea," said Congresswoman Lee. "Instead of saber-rattling, we should be … Continue Reading
August 10, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Responds to Deportation of Oakland Constituents
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Lee released the following statement regarding the deportation of Oakland constituents Maria and Eusebio Sanchez: "Maria and Eusebio have lived in the Bay Area for more than twenty years. They are the parents to four beautiful children. Maria cares for sick patients at Highland Hospital and Eusebio has worked as a truck driver for over a decade. In their spare time, they give back to our community. Last year, they finally managed to buy a home in … Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Appointed Democratic Congressional Representative to the United Nations
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee was appointed to serve as Congressional Representative of the United States to the Seventy-Second Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Congresswoman Lee will continue to represent the 13th Congressional District of California while she assumes the duties of a Representative to the United Nations. Below is her statement regarding the appointment: "I am deeply honored by this nomination to be a Representative of the United States to … Continue Reading
August 01, 2017
ICYMI: POLITICO Magazine: How Barbara Lee Became An Army of One
Washington, D.C. - Earlier this summer, Congresswoman Barbara Lee's amendment to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) passed the Appropriations Committee with overwhelming bipartisan support, only to be stripped by Republicans on the Rules Committee at the request of Speaker Paul Ryan. On Sunday, POLITICO Magazine published a profile on Congresswoman Barbara Lee's vote against the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force and her efforts to repeal it over the last … Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
Rep Barbara Lee’s Statement on the Senate ACA Repeal Vote
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on last night's defeat of Senate Republicans' Affordable Care Act repeal bill: "Make no mistake: the American people have saved the Affordable Care Act. This victory belongs to the persistence of our constituents, who called and emailed and marched and showed up at town halls to protect their care. It's time for Republicans to face the facts - the ACA is here to stay. "I hope last night's vote was a wake-up call to my … Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Resolution to Increase Access to Affordable Housing
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H. Con. Res. 74, 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. "Housing is a basic human right. For far too long heartless budget caps have prevented us from making the necessary investments to ensure all Americans, especially the … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Slams Republican Obstruction of Bipartisan AUMF Repeal Amendments
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on the defeat of her amendments, which would have repealed the 2001 AUMF and sunset funding for operations conducted under the 2001 AUMF, in the House Rules Committee: "For far too long, Congress has failed in its fundamental responsibility to debate matters of war and peace. Congress is missing in action - it's past time for us to do our job. "This week, I offered an amendment in the House Rules Committee to restore my … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Members of Congress Demand Answers on Cuts to Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program
Washington, D.C. - 149 Members of Congress, led by Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-1), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), and Marc Veasey (TX-33), sent a letter to Secretary Tom Price, requesting an explanation for the decision to unexpectedly cut short the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP) project period from five to three years. This harmful decision could endanger the long-term sustainability of proven programs. "The … Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Denounces Republican Leadership’s Decision to Strip AUMF Repeal Amendment
Washington, D.C. - Today, at a bipartisan press conference, Congresswoman Barbara Lee denounced Republican leadership's decision to strip her bipartisan amendment to repeal the 2001 AUMF from in the FY18 'minibus' spending bill. She was joined by Members of Congress and community organizations Vote Vets and Win Without War. "Today was a really sad day for our democracy. Republican leadership's unilateral decision to kill my bipartisan amendment, which would have finally put an end to our … Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Blasts Dead of Night Removal of 2001 AUMF Repeal Amendment
Washington, D.C. - Late last night, Congresswoman Lee's amendment to repeal the 2001 AUMF - which passed with bipartisan support in the House Appropriations Committee - was stripped from the FY2018 Defense, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Legislative Branch and Energy and Water Development National Security Appropriations Act. She released the following statement: "Over the years, I've seen Republican leadership deploy every manner of undemocratic, underhanded tactics in Congress. … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Lee and Serrano Offer Amendment Prohibiting ICE Raids in Sensitive Locations
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman José Serrano introduced an amendment in the House Appropriations Committee to the Fiscal Year 2018 Homeland Security bill to prohibit funding for ICE and CBP raids in sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, courthouses, and community health centers. Please click here to watch the full debate on the Lee-Serrano Amendment. Below are her remarks as prepared: "Mr. Chairman, this amendment that I have cosponsored … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Lee and Pocan Offer Amendments on Trump Administration’s Muslim Ban
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Mark Pocan (WI-02) today offered two amendments during the Appropriations Committee markup of the FY 2018 Homeland Security bill. The Lee Amendment would have prohibited any federal funding for implementation of the Muslim ban. The Pocan Amendment would have expanded the list of bona fide relationships under the Trump Administration's Muslim ban to include all familial relationships, including grandparents and grandchildren. "Our … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Seeks Funding to Strengthen Affordable Housing Programs, Combat Homelessness
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a set of amendments to the FY 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. The amendments would increase federal funding for affordable housing programs to assist low-income families and support the fight to end homelessness. Congresswoman Lee introduced two amendments that would invest millions in funding toward preserving affordable housing programs. To bolster the HOME Investment Program, … Continue Reading
July 17, 2017
Rep. Lee Offers Amendments to Appropriations Bills for FY18
Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced several amendments in the House Appropriations Committee to the Fiscal Year 2018 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS), Financial Services, and Agriculture bills dealing with access to healthy food, criminal justice reform, reproductive freedom, and medical marijuana regulations. Congresswoman Lee’s amendment funding $1 million for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) was adopted into the Agriculture … Continue Reading