Press Releases
Congresswoman Lee’s Statement on Berkeley Protests
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the protests at UC Berkeley: "Milo Yiannopoulos has made a career of inflaming racist, sexist and nativist sentiments. Berkeley has a proud history of dissent and students were fully within their rights to protest peacefully. I am disappointed by the unacceptable acts of violence by outside agitators which were counterproductive and dangerous. "President Donald Trump cannot bully our university into silence. … Continue Reading
February 01, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Black History Month
"Every February, we reflect on the numerous contributions African Americans have made to our nation's history. Despite overwhelming odds, African Americans have persevered to become influential inventors, doctors, educators, business leaders, and even President of the United States. "While Black History Month reminds us of the progress we have made as a nation, it is also a reminder of our nation's dark history of slavery, racial injustice, oppression and the continued struggle for civil and … Continue Reading
February 01, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Demands Immediate Removal of Steve Bannon from National Security Council
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and leadership of the Congressional Quad-Caucus - which is composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), 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, a white nationalist, from his permanent position on the National Security Council … Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to Supreme Court
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after President Trump announced he has nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by Antonin Scalia: "I am deeply concerned by President Trump's decision to name Judge Neil Gorsuch as his nominee to be the next Supreme Court Justice. The president has indicated that his nominee would automatically overturn Roe v. Wade and be approved by radical right-wing organizations. These … Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Reintroduces the EACH Woman Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, along with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, and Congresswoman Diana DeGette, led a group of 104 Democrats in reintroducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act or the EACH Woman Act. This legislation would end the discriminatory Hyde Amendment, which disproportionately affects low-income women and women of color. The EACH Woman Act would ensure that all women, regardless of income, … Continue Reading
January 30, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Demands President Trump Reverse Hateful Anti-Refugee, Anti-Immigrant Executive Orders
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement after joining the entire Democratic Caucus on the steps of the Supreme Court to call on President Trump to reverse his recent hateful, anti-refugee and anti-immigrant executive orders: "Tonight, on the steps of the Supreme Court, I joined Democrats from the House and the Senate in demanding an immediate reversal of President Trump's islamophobic and xenophobic executive orders. These callous orders fly in the face … Continue Reading
January 27, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Condemns President Trump’s Muslim Ban
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in condemnation of President Trump's executive order targeting refugees from Muslim-majority countries: "I am outraged by President Trump's executive order banning immigrants and refugees from the United States on the basis of religion. This pronouncement violates constitutional principles and disregards religious tolerance - a cornerstone of American democracy. Let me be clear: by turning his back on individuals and … Continue Reading
January 25, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee: This is Not Who We Are
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on President Trump's executive order targeting immigrant communities: "By issuing executive orders that direct federal funds to build a wall on our border and restrict federal resources to sanctuary cities, President Trump has begun to implement his anti-immigrant attack against vulnerable populations. "The president's executive orders are rooted in an un-American hostility toward immigrant communities. This … Continue Reading
January 24, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Condemns Republican Assault on Women’s Reproductive Rights
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Lee delivered a strong rebuke to Congressional Republicans attempting to roll back women's reproductive freedoms. "House Republicans have shown they will stop at nothing to undermine women's constitutional rights," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "H.R. 7 is an extreme, ideological assault on women and their health care. Instead of trusting women, this legislation invites politicians and employers into the exam room. The aim of this bill is clear: to … Continue Reading
January 24, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Slams Executive Orders on Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing the Keystone Pipeline and Dakota Access Pipeline: "The American people decisively rejected both the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Keystone Pipeline. President Trump's executive orders are a giveaway to the fossil fuel industry at the expense of our planet and its inhabitants. "At every turn, President Trump has shown his allegiance is with billionaires and Big … Continue Reading
January 24, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Trade Agreements
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding news that the Administration is formally withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership: "Democrats have been fighting bad trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for decades. The defeat of TPP shows what is possible when policy makers, advocates and workers unite to protect American jobs. "I am proud to have worked with my colleagues these past five years to oppose the TPP and the … Continue Reading
January 19, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates the Obama Presidency
"Over 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. transformed a generation with his dream for America: a dream that one day, men and women would be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. For the past eight years, President Barack Obama has embodied that dream. "As we prepare to say goodbye to President Obama and the First Family, I am reminded of the challenges that loomed when the president first took office. In January 2009, our economy was losing half a million … Continue Reading
January 16, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement regarding Martin Luther King Jr. Day: "Every year our nation pauses to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and recommit ourselves to realizing his dream of equality and justice for all. "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired a nation to rise up against discrimination, injustice, poverty and war. He believed that the most pressing challenges we face could be resolved through peaceful … Continue Reading
January 12, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Boycott Inauguration of Donald Trump
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today announced that she will not attend the inauguration of Donald J. Trump on Friday, January 20, 2017. "Inaugurations are celebratory events, a time to welcome the peaceful transition of power and honor the new administration. On January 20th, I will not be celebrating or honoring an incoming president who rode racism, sexism, xenophobia and bigotry to the White House. "Donald Trump ran one of the most divisive and prejudiced campaigns in modern … Continue Reading
January 06, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Statement On Declassified Report on Russian Interference in U.S. Election
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the declassified report on Russian interference in the U.S. election: "Today, I objected to the certification of Electoral College votes based on overwhelming evidence from our intelligence community that Russia interfered with our election. This chilling report confirms what we have known to be true: the Russian government hacked our electoral process to benefit Donald Trump's campaign. Despite grave concerns … Continue Reading
January 06, 2017
Congresswoman Lee on Voter Disenfranchisement and the Challenge of Electoral Votes
Washington, D.C. - Today Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined with Representatives Sheila Jackson-Lee, Maxine Waters, Raúl Grijalva, Jim McGovern, Pramila Jayapal and Jamie Raskin in formally challenging the certification of the electoral votes of several states and released the following statement: "During this presidential election cycle, hundreds of thousands of minority voters were disenfranchised before and on Election Day. It's unconscionable that more than 50 years after the … Continue Reading
January 03, 2017
Congresswoman Lee Slams House Republican Rules Package
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in opposition to the House rules package for the 115th Congress: "Instead of working to protect American families, House Republicans have spent their first day back trying to silence Democrats and the American people. This destructive rules package should serve as a chilling reminder that Congressional Republicans will stop at nothing to limit transparency and protect the gun lobby. "This package would also lay the … Continue Reading
January 03, 2017
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Sworn In as Member of 115th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee was sworn in as a member of the 115th Congress. She released the following statement: "It is a privilege and honor to be sworn in as representative of California's 13th Congressional District for the 115th Congress. The trust and confidence my constituents have placed in me once again strengthens my resolve and determination in these trying times. "As we prepare for the challenges ahead, one thing is certain: a progressive resistance to … Continue Reading
December 20, 2016
In Letter to Trump, House Democrats Draw Line on Women’s Right to Choose
Washington, D.C. - This week, 105 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, sent a letter to President-elect Trump urging the elimination of the Hyde Amendment. Federal restrictions prevent millions of women, including low-income women, servicewomen, federal employees, Native American women and residents of Washington, D.C. from exercising their constitutional right to abortion care. The letter was co-led by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, … Continue Reading
December 16, 2016
Congresswoman Lee Applauds Appointment of Catherine E. Lhamon and Debo P. Adegbile to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee applauded President Barack Obama on his appointment of Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon and attorney Debo P. Adegbile to six-year terms on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights matters and issuing a federal civil rights enforcement report. The Congresswoman issued the … Continue Reading