Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement celebrating the start of Caribbean American Heritage Month: "I am proud to join the East Bay and people across the country in celebrating June as Caribbean American Heritage Month. This month is a wonderful time to reflect on our shared past and future. Every day, I see the critical role that Caribbean Americans play in building and enriching our culture and values. The historic relationships between the U.S. and … Continue Reading
May 31, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Reported Decision to Withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement responding to reports that President Trump plans to remove the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement: "The president's reported decision to remove the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement is yet another reckless abdication of American leadership on the global stage by this Administration. Over 150 countries have committed to combatting the effects of climate change in meaningful and unprecedented … Continue Reading
May 26, 2017
Rep. Barbara Lee Statement for Memorial Day
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in observance of Memorial Day: "Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the heroic service of our men and women in uniform, as well as pay tribute to our fallen heroes. "As the daughter of a veteran, I am deeply committed to ensuring all returning service members and their loved ones receive the benefits they have earned. As a member of the spending committee overseeing veterans' affairs, I will fight to ensure every … Continue Reading
May 23, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Slams ‘Heartless’ Trump Budget
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on President Trump's proposed cuts in the FY2018 budget: "The federal budget is, at its heart, a moral document. It puts on paper the principles and priorities of a nation. In all my time in Congress, I have never seen a budget so devoid of compassion and empathy for families struggling to make ends meet. "This Republican agenda is Robin Hood in reverse. Their morally bankrupt budget steals health care from … Continue Reading
May 22, 2017
Rep. Lee: We Must Invest in Computer Science for All
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee reintroduced the Computer Science for All Act, which would ensure that all students receive the critical computer science education necessary for success in the 21st century economy. The bill would authorize $250 million in new grants to advance computer science education for pre-K to 12th graders, with a focus on girls and students of color. "When it comes to being prepared for the 21st century economy, our young people, especially girls … Continue Reading
May 21, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Calls for Presidential Accountability
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted a town hall with special guests John Dean and Malcolm Nance for a timely discussion on presidential accountability. The discussion focused on the lessons learned from previous administrations dating back to President Nixon, and how we can apply those lessons in the present context. John Dean served as White House Counsel for President Nixon and was a key witness during the Watergate scandal. Malcom Nance is a retired U.S Navy Officer … Continue Reading
May 18, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on Trump Administration’s Notice of NAFTA Renegotiation
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after the Trump Administration released plans to initiate negotiations with Canada and Mexico over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): "I am deeply concerned that President Trump is attempting to use NAFTA negotiations to revive the most egregious tenets of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. We simply cannot afford to allow this president to negotiate trade agreements that benefit wealthy corporations on … Continue Reading
May 17, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls for End to Homophobia and Transphobia
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a Congressional Resolution in support of the goals and ideals of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The resolution was introduced with more than 50 original cosponsors. "Over the past decade we have made tremendous progress against hatred, exclusion, bigotry, violence and discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Sadly, homophobia, transphobia and discrimination … Continue Reading
May 17, 2017
Rep. Barbara Lee: If Trump Obstructed Justice, He Must Be Held Accountable
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding the growing evidence that President Trump obstructed justice: "The American people deserve to know if President Trump tried to quash the FBI investigation into his campaign's alleged collusion with the Russians. If true, this would constitute obstruction of justice, which is an impeachable offense. "These allegations go far beyond party interests. Congress must take the long-overdue step of forming an … Continue Reading
May 12, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on Attorney General Sessions’ Reinstatement of Harsh, Discriminatory Sentencing Policies
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding draconian drug sentencing guidance sent to federal prosecutors by Attorney General Jeff Sessions: "Today's announcement marks another distressing chapter in the Trump Administration's misguided 'law and order' agenda. The guidance issued by the Department of Justice will do nothing to make communities safer and will only deepen the distrust between law enforcement officials and the communities they … Continue Reading
May 12, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Announces East Bay’s Innovation 2.0 Plan Roll Out
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier joined East Bay business leaders in celebrating the release of the Innovation 2.0 Action Plan, a strategy drafted by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) to promote STEM education and tech job growth in the East Bay. "Today's announcement is the result of our sustained efforts to ensure our community is prepared to succeed in the 21st century economy. This plan will help create a pipeline of … Continue Reading
May 10, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee: Comey Firing Signals Constitutional Crisis
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey: "I am deeply troubled by President Trump's decision to fire the FBI Director who was investigating allegations of collusion between the President, his campaign and the Kremlin. When it comes to Russia, this Administration has proven it will not act in the best interests of the American people. "This abuse of power signals a full-blown constitutional crisis that … Continue Reading
May 08, 2017
Members of Congress Pen Letter Urging Treasury Department to Address War Profiteering in South Sudan
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, joined by her colleagues Chairman Ed Royce, Ranking Member Eliot Engel, Congressmember Karen Bass, Congressman Jim McGovern, Chairman Chris Smith, Congressman Michael Capuano, and Congressman Tom Rooney, sent a bipartisan letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urging him to target the financial interests of high-level military and political officials in South Sudan. While war in South Sudan continues unabated, politicians and war … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Passage of the American Health Care Act
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after the House passed the American Health Care Act by a partisan 217 to 213 margin. "The American Health Care Act (AHCA) is an evil bill that rips healthcare from 24 million Americans while handing $600 billion to the wealthy and big corporations. This heartless legislation allows states to gut essential health benefits that require insurers to provide basic services like maternity care, cancer screenings and … Continue Reading
May 01, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Applauds Famine Relief Funding in FY2017 Omnibus
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on funding to fight famine in the FY2017 omnibus bill. Last month, Congresswoman Lee circulated a bipartisan letter urging her colleagues to support $1 billion in famine relief: "As a senior appropriator who helped lead the bipartisan effort to address the global food crisis, I applaud the inclusion of nearly $1 billion for famine relief in the FY2017 Omnibus bill. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Ranking Member Nita … Continue Reading
May 01, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Commemorates National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement marking Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which is observed during the month of May: "I am proud to join the East Bay and people across the country in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This month is an important time for our nation to reflect on the remarkable contributions of the AAPI community. "Every day, I see the critical role that Asian and Pacific Americans play in building and enriching our … Continue Reading
April 28, 2017
Rep. Barbara Lee: The Trump Administration’s First 100 Days Have Been An Unmitigated Disaster
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined House and Senate Democrats to shed light on the broken promises of President Trump's first 100 days. Below is her statement on President Trump's disastrous first few months in office: "The verdict on President Trump's first 100 days is in - and it's not pretty. For three months, President Trump has blundered from crisis to crisis, elevating fringe far-right voices and breaking his promises to hardworking families. "But the opposition to the … Continue Reading
April 27, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on Berkeley Protests
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on today's protests in Berkeley: "UC Berkeley has a storied history of dissent and, as an alumna myself, I am proud of the university's long-standing commitment to providing a forum for free speech. While I stand in firm opposition to the hateful ideology that fuels extremists like Ann Coulter, we must ensure that all parties can peacefully and safely exercise their First Amendment rights. "We cannot allow outside … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Concludes Productive CODEL to East Asia
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee returned this week from a congressional delegation to South Korea and Japan. The CODEL focused on critical issues facing U.S. and international security in the region, including nuclear threats posed by North Korea in the Korean Peninsula. "Last week, I met with national security leaders in South Korea and Japan and received firsthand briefings about U.S. policy in the Korean Peninsula. My time in the region reinforced my concerns about the potential … Continue Reading
April 14, 2017
Rep. Lee, Members Demand Immediate Removal of Steve Bannon from White House Staff
Washington, DC - Following the removal of Steve Bannon from the National Security Council, Members of Congress led by Congresswoman Barbara Lee called for the immediate removal of Steve Bannon, a white supremacist, from the White House staff. "Steve Bannon is a radical right wing extremist, whose embrace of white supremacist ideology presents a direct threat to our national security. As the chief architect of the Muslim Ban and a persistent advocate of President Trump's border wall, his … Continue Reading