Press Releases
Congresswoman Lee Announces $6.3 Million DOT Grant Award for BART
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced a $6,321,668 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration program for the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). "I am pleased that BART has been selected to receive this vital federal funding," said Congresswoman Lee. "BART is a critical part of our public transit system and these funds will help ensure safe and green transit for its riders, in the East Bay and throughout the Bay … Continue Reading
July 20, 2016
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $1.8M Federal Grant to Oakland’s Youth Radio
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced that Youth Radio (Oakland, CA), will receive a $1,845,000 million grant award from the National Science Foundation to expand Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education through multimedia journalism and related app development. "Youth Radio is a gem in our community and a global leader in innovative science journalism. I am pleased that they have been selected to receive this competitive funding from the National Science … Continue Reading
July 20, 2016
Members of Congress Call for Greater U.S.-Cuba Health Cooperation to Improve Health of American Families
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congresswoman Karen Bass led their colleagues in a letter requesting executive action to enhance health cooperation between the U.S. and Cuba. The letter reads: "Physicians and their patients are frustrated that such potentially lifesaving treatments are entangled in the politics of the embargo debate and accompanying bureaucracy. This results in a highly complex dual-license approval process that places the Department of the Treasury, … Continue Reading
July 19, 2016
Congresswoman Lee to Attend International AIDS Conference
Durban, South Africa - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, will attend the 21st International AIDS Conference. She is the only Member of Congress attending the Conference; she has attended all but one International AIDS Conference since being elected to Congress. "Every two years, the global community comes together to share best practices, discuss remaining challenges and recommit to achieving an AIDS-free generation," said Congresswoman … Continue Reading
July 14, 2016
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates a Safer World Thanks to the Iran Deal
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus's Peace and Security Task Force, released this statement marking the first anniversary of the historic Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement to restrict Iran's nuclear stockpile and infrastructure: "One year ago, the global community came together to make the world a safer place by advancing the historic Iran Deal. Under this agreement, boldly negotiated by President Obama and Secretary … Continue Reading
July 12, 2016
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins Call to Keep Weapons of War Off Our Streets
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined her colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus in accepting 900,000 signatures from Americans demanding action to prevent gun violence. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in receiving these signatures from 900,000 Americans that are demanding action to keep weapons of war off our streets," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Unlike the Republicans in Congress who have been inexcusably silent, we are listening to the American people … Continue Reading
July 08, 2016
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on the Murder of 5 Police Officers in Dallas
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following the cowardly shooting that killed five police officers and wounded several others in Dallas: "Like all Americans, I am outraged and saddened by the heinous ambush and murder of police officers during a peaceful protest. My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and communities of the victims. Our nation shares in their grief and shock. The East Bay stands united against this senseless violence. Right … Continue Reading
July 08, 2016
Congresswoman Lee Responds to June Jobs Report
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on the Department of Labor's June Jobs Report, which showed the economy created 287,000 jobs in June. Last month marked the 76th consecutive month of private sector job growth: "Today's Jobs Report shows continued and positive economic growth. Over the past year, the national unemployment rate has decreased 0.4 percent under the leadership of President Obama. As the economic recovery continues, we must build on this progress … Continue Reading
July 07, 2016
Congresswoman Lee's Statement on Deaths of Alton Sterling & Philando Castile
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Lee released this statement following the shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, LA and Philando Castile in Minneapolis, MN: "My heart goes out to the families and communities of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Like everyone in our community, I am devastated by the senseless murder of two more black man. Their deaths and the deaths of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and Oscar Grant, one of my constituents, serve as tragic examples of the senseless murder … Continue Reading
July 06, 2016
“We must keep our promises and bring this war to a close.”
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following the White House's announcement that 8,400 U.S. troops would remain in Afghanistan beyond the end of the year: "Today's announcement is a step in the wrong direction and it signals that our nation's longest war is far from over. Further military engagement in Afghanistan continues to put our brave servicemen and women in harm's way and does not enhance our national security. For nearly 15 years, our brave … Continue Reading
July 01, 2016
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on White House’s Civilian Causalities Report
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement concerning the White House's report on civilian casualties in US operations in regions outside of war zones: "By releasing this report, the White House has taken an important step toward greater transparency and oversight of counterterrorism operations. However, the fact remains that these military operations are being conducted under the outdated and overly-broad authorization passed in 2001. For far too long, our nation … Continue Reading
June 29, 2016
“Not One More”
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement marking the National Day of Action for Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention: "This is not the first time that I've spoken out against gun violence, and sadly, it will not be the last. Every day, Americans lose their lives to gun violence, yet the Speaker adjourned for a vacation without a single vote to address this epidemic that kills tens of thousands of Americans every year. My community knows the true cost of gun violence. … Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
“Your adjournment will not silence our voices”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee will join Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman, Congressman Mike Thompson, for the National Day of Action on Gun Violence Prevention. The event builds on the momentum from the historic "No Bill, No Break" sit-in mounted by House Democrats under the leadership of Congressman John Lewis. The sit-in sought to demand common sense reforms to reduce gun violence including ensuring background checks for all gun buyers and … Continue Reading
June 22, 2016
Congresswoman Lee Joins House Sit-In on Gun Violence
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement and joined civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis, and her House Democratic colleagues for an unprecedented "No Bill, No Break" sit-in on the House floor: "Time and time again, House Republicans have blocked our ability to keep Americans safe by preventing us from passing common sense gun reforms, including closing a glaring loophole that allows suspected terrorists to purchase weapons of war. These weapons of war, … Continue Reading
June 20, 2016
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Nearly $17 Million in Federal Head Start Funds
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced a $16,702,952 federal grant for the City of Oakland to support Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "I am excited to announce this critical funding to strengthen and expand Oakland's Head Start and Early Head Start Programs," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "The data is clear: early childhood education helps empower every child with the opportunity … Continue Reading
June 19, 2016
Congresswoman Lee Marks 151st Observance of Juneteenth and Calls on Nation to Recommit to Fight for True Equality
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement celebrating the 151st anniversary of Juneteenth: "Today, we celebrate Juneteenth - the day in 1865 when enslaved Americans learned that they were finally free. More than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, news of the Proclamation and the Union's victory in the Civil War finally reached Galveston, Texas. On this day, 151 years ago, all African Americans could finally claim their freedom. Each year, … Continue Reading
June 16, 2016
CBC TECH 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), co-chairs of the CBC Diversity Taskforce and CBC TECH 2020, released the CBC TECH 2020 Year in Review, a report which highlights CBC efforts to increase African American inclusion in the technology sector. "When we launched CBC TECH 2020, we set out to change the workforce landscape of the tech industry, making it more diverse and inclusive of African American … Continue Reading
June 15, 2016
On National Security, Congress is Missing in Action
Washington, DC - As the Pentagon's annual spending bill moves to the House floor, Congresswoman Lee will be offering and supporting several amendments to enhance national security, promote human rights and restore Congressional oversight to our nation's unchecked war-making power. "Once again, Congress is preparing to double down on the abdication of our Constitutional responsibility to oversee our nation's wars and national security," said Congresswoman Lee. "Simply too much is at stake for … Continue Reading
June 12, 2016
Congresswoman Lee Mourns Orlando Tragedy
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following the tragedy in Orlando: "Today, our nation awoke to horrific news. The attack against Pulse nightclub is an attack on the LGBT community, the city of Orlando, and our country. The senseless violence is undoubtedly an act of hatred and terrorism. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost and I pray for a speedy recovery for those injured. Quite simply the senselessness of this tragedy defies … Continue Reading
June 10, 2016
Expanded U.S. Role in Afghanistan Shows Nation’s Longest War Is Far From Over
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following news that U.S. troops in Afghanistan would become further engaged; this announcement reverses the trend and plan for a drawdown in the region: "Today's announcement from the Pentagon signals that our nation is far from ending its longest war. Further military engagement in Afghanistan puts our brave servicemen and women in harm's way while doing nothing to enhance our national security. For nearly 15 years, … Continue Reading