Press Releases
Members Call on Speaker To Hold War Debate
Washington, DC - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee, Walter Jones, Adam Schiff, Jim McGovern, Peter Welch and 20 other Members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to Speaker Ryan calling for a debate and vote on the year-plus, multi-billion dollar war raging in the Middle East. "Tomorrow will mark one year since President Obama sent Congress a draft AUMF. Over the last 365 days, it has sat on the Speaker's desk while our nation has become increasingly more embroiled in yet another costly and … Continue Reading
February 09, 2016
Rep. Lee Helps Win 34% Increase in Fair Market Rents for East Bay Families
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Lee released the following statement regarding the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) announcement that East Bay families would see a 34% increase in Fair Market Rents (FMR): "This increase is a win for the many East Bay families struggling with rapidly rising housing costs. By bringing together local advocates, HUD Secretary Julián Castro, and other outside partners, we helped ensure families could stay in the communities that they … Continue Reading
February 09, 2016
Rep. Lee: President Obama’s FY17 Budget Presents “Forward-Thinking Vision for Our Nation”
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued this statement following the release of President Obama's FY2017 Budget Request: "President Obama's 2017 budget proposal presents a forward-thinking vision for our nation. By making investments in our families and communities, we can continue to strengthen our economy and rebuild opportunities for millions of struggling Americans. I applaud the President for funding proven anti-poverty programs to help low-income families build pathways into … Continue Reading
February 08, 2016
Oakland to Lead in Emerging “Computer Science for All” Initiative
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement welcoming U.S. Chief Technology Officer, Megan Smith, to Oakland's Skyline High School: "I am so pleased to welcome U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith to Oakland for this important conversation on advancing computer science skills for all. I am proud that Ms. Smith chose Oakland as the first city to visit following the White House's bold announcement of the "Computer Science for All" Initiative. In the East Bay, she … Continue Reading
February 05, 2016
Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on January Jobs Report
Oakland, CA - Today, the Department of Labor announced that unemployment had fallen to 4.9 percent and 151,000 U.S. jobs were added in January. This growth marks the 71st consecutive month of private sector job growth. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity released this statement: "Today's job report shows continued progress in our economic recovery. January marked the 71st consecutive month of private sector job … Continue Reading
February 05, 2016
Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - First observed on February 7, 1999, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an opportunity to reflect on HIV's impact on the African American community, support those living with the virus and to encourage all to take a pro-active approach to their health. The theme of this year's National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, is "I Am My Brother's and Sister's Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS!" "For many in the African American community, the AIDS epidemic is personal. This year's theme, … Continue Reading
February 01, 2016
Rep. Lee: “Computer Science for All Is Vital to Our Children's Futures”
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement applauding the President's bold announcement calling for computer science education for all to secure our children's futures and American economic competitiveness: "Today, President Obama called for bold action to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn the computer skills necessary for success. This is essential to ensuring all kids have a bright future and America remains a strong competitor in the global … Continue Reading
February 01, 2016
Rep. Lee: “Congress Cannot Continue to Rely on a Blank Check for Endless War”
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on the ever-expanding U.S. military action in the Middle East: "Nearly a full year after President Obama asked Congress to debate military action against ISIL, we continue to abdicate our constitutional duty to consider the costs and consequences of war. Meanwhile, US military action against ISIL has spread to three countries - Iraq, Syria, and now Afghanistan. As our involvement escalates daily, it is essential for … Continue Reading
February 01, 2016
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Black History Month
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement marking the start of Black History Month: "Every February, our nation honors the significant contributions of African Americans to our nation's history, success and future. Since its establishment as a week in 1926 by Dr. Carter Woodson, Black History Month has grown into a month-long celebration of the immeasurable contributions made by African Americans to our culture and history. This month presents an opportunity … Continue Reading
January 30, 2016
Rep. Barbara Lee Welcomes Acting Secretary of Education John B. King to the East Bay
Oakland, CA - Today, Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King visited the East Bay to highlight the critical importance of early learning and literacy in children's academic success: "I would like to welcome Secretary King to the East Bay and thank him for his remarkable work spreading the importance of literacy so every child can grow and learn," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Strong literacy skills play a crucial role in the academic and life success of our children. We must … Continue Reading
January 27, 2016
Rep. Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Executive Action to End Solitary Confinement for Juveniles in Federal Prisons
Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on President Obama's executive action to end solitary confinement for juveniles in federal prisons: "Once again, President Obama has shown his leadership in addressing some of the extreme failures in our criminal justice system. By ending solitary confinement for juveniles and the mentally ill in federal prisons, the President has addressed one of the most significant human rights violations in our nation. Today's action … Continue Reading
January 26, 2016
Rep. Barbara Lee on Texas Grand Jury Decision to Clear Planned Parenthood of Charges: "This Shows the Truth Still Matters"
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on news that a Texas grand jury had cleared Planned Parenthood of any wrongdoing and indicted anti-choice activists who produced highly edited videos falsely accusing Planned Parenthood of illegal activities: "Today's decision by the Texas grand jury shows that the truth still matters. Despite the repeated attempts to undermine women's health by anti-choice activists and extremists in Congress, the truth has won … Continue Reading
January 22, 2016
Rep. Lee: “43 Years Later, We Must Reclaim Roe”
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement marking the 43rd anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision that ensured women could make their own personal healthcare choices: "In 1973, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade and guaranteed every woman's Constitutional right to reproductive healthcare, including access to safe and legal abortion. Despite this hard won victory, the GOP's ideological war on women has systemically … Continue Reading
January 21, 2016
Rep. Lee Calls for Action to Get Dark Money Out of Politics on 6th Anniversary of Citizen United
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement marking the 6th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC decision that allowed dark money to further influence the American political system: "Six years ago, the Supreme Court handed down a controversial and destructive decision that has allowed dark money to further influence our nation's democracy. Before this decision, special interests already had too much sway in Washington and the Supreme Court gave … Continue Reading
January 20, 2016
Congresswoman Lee Reacts to the State of the Union
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following President Obama's State of the Union address: "This evening, the American people and the world had an opportunity to hear directly from our President about the important accomplishments that he's achieved during his last seven years in the Oval Office. Domestically, President Obama has turned our economy around and generated the longest consecutive period of job growth in our nation's history, after inheriting the … Continue Reading
January 18, 2016
Rep. 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. Last year, our nation celebrated the 150thanniversary of the 13th Amendment - one of the most significant dates in American history: the end of slavery with the passage of an amendment to the … Continue Reading
January 16, 2016
Congresswoman Lee's Statement on Iran's Compliance with the International Plan to Dismantle Its Nuclear Program
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following the announcement from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran has complied with the international agreement to dismantle its nuclear program: "Yesterday's announcement by the IAEA, as well as the release of 5 Americans unjustly held in Iran, shows that diplomacy works. As someone who has long advocated for negotiations with Iran, I am encouraged that Iran has complied with the international agreement to … Continue Reading
January 11, 2016
Rep. Barbara Lee: "American Families Deserve Better than Failed Trickle-Down Economics"
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Lee released this statement following the Kemp Forum on Expanding Opportunity, in Columbia, South Carolina hosted by Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator Tim Scott: "Today's poverty forum in Columbia clearly showed that the Republican Party lacks any serious ideas for combatting poverty. Instead of real solutions, all we heard were the same, old talking points repacked as so-called 'compassionate conservatism.' We know what works to combat poverty. Yet time and … Continue Reading
January 08, 2016
Rep. Lee Releases Statement on December Jobs Report
Oakland, CA - Today, the Department of Labor announced that the US economy added 292,000 jobs in December, marking the 70th consecutive month of private sector job growth. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity, released this statement: "Today's job report is more evidence that our nation's economy continues to recover and grow. Last month marked the 70th consecutive month of private sector job growth - adding up to … Continue Reading
January 05, 2016
Rep. Barbara Lee: Congress Must “Start Listening to the American People and Not the NRA”
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following President Obama's executive action to address the epidemic of gun violence that's raging in the East Bay and communities around the country: "Today's actions by President Obama are an important and necessary step as we work to address the epidemic of gun violence in our communities. The President's actions will toughen background checks, bolster enforcement of existing laws, improve mental health services and … Continue Reading