Press Releases
Dropping Interest Rates for New Student Loans Highlights Need for Refinancing Options
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, it was reported that student loan interest rates for 2015-2016 school year would decrease for students and their families. “This further reduction in student loan interest rates highlights the need for Congress to immediately pass the Bank on Student Emergency Loan Refinancing Act (H.R. 1434) to provide young people and their families with an opportunity to take advantage of these new, lower rates,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “More than a trillion dollars in … Continue Reading
May 13, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Joins National Leaders in Launching the Progressive Agenda to Combat Income Inequality
Washington D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined Mayor Bill de Blasio and other progressive leaders in launching the Progressive Agenda. She released this statement: “It’s an honor and privilege to join so many Governors, Senators, Members of Congress, Mayors - including Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf - labor leaders and other progressive champions in renewing our commitment to an economy that works for everyone, not just a select few. More than 45 million of our fellow Americans … Continue Reading
May 13, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Receives Polio Eradication Champion Award
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee received the Rotary’s Polio Eradication Champion Award along with Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA). The Congresswoman was recognized for her support of the humanitarian service organization’s top priority to eradicate polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still paralyzes children in parts of the world today. “Over the last few decades, the … Continue Reading
May 08, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Announces Winner of Congressional Arts Competition
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced that Saint Joseph Notre Dame (SJND) High School Senior, Taylor Griffith, was selected as the winner of the annual Congressional Arts Competition, An Artistic Discovery, to represent the 13th Congressional District. The Congressional Arts Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of student artists in their district. This year, more than 80 East Bay … Continue Reading
May 08, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on April Jobs Report
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following the Department of Labor’s announcement that the economy added 223,000 jobs in April, marking the 62nd consecutive month of private sector job growth. Since April 2014, approximately 1.1 million unemployed Americans have found a job causing the unemployment rate to fall to 5.4 percent. “I am pleased to see the U.S. unemployment continue to decline as businesses hire more workers. However, today’s jobs report … Continue Reading
May 07, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Applauds Appeals Court’s Ruling on Telephone Data Collection
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement regarding the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruling on the government's overly broad telephone metadata collection program: "Today's ruling draws a clear line in the sand over the government's bulk collection and use of Americans’ telephone records. The right to privacy is a fundamental American value and it is clear that the current bulk data collection endangers that right through the unconstrained use of new … Continue Reading
April 30, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Speaks Out Against the Impacts of Persistent Poverty in the African American Community
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee joined other Members of the Congressional Black Caucus in speaking out against the impacts of persistent poverty in the African American community. Her statement, as prepared for delivery, follows: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise first to send my thoughts and prayers to the family of Freddie Gray and the entire city of Baltimore. Today another family is grieving, another young life is needlessly cut short, and again a community is searching for … Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Bayer Healthcare’s $100 Million Investment into Berkeley Manufacturing Site
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Lee welcomed Bayer HealthCare’s $100 million investment to build a product testing facility at its Berkeley manufacturing site to support research and emerging generations of treatments for Hemophilia A, a hereditary bleeding disorder. “I welcome Bayer HealthCare’s investment in Berkeley and the company’s continued commitment to healthcare and our community,” said Congresswoman Lee. “This increased investment is projected to support 325,000 work hours for … Continue Reading
April 24, 2015
Grijalva, Ellison, Lee, Polis Oppose Proposed Reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act
WASHINGTON—Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), CPC Peace and Security Task Force Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and CPC Equal Protection Task Force Chair Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) released the following statement today after Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) introduced a renewal of the PATRIOT Act with no reforms and no amendments. “We oppose Senator McConnell's proposed reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act. Americans … Continue Reading
April 23, 2015
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates Women's History Month & Calls for Action on Pay Inequality
April 22, 2015
Congresswoman Lee’s Statement on Confirmation of Loretta Lynch
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement upon the confirmation of Loretta Lynch to serve as the next U.S. Attorney General by the U.S. Senate: “Today’s vote to confirm Loretta Lynch as our nation’s next Attorney General is historic. It is not only historic because she is the first woman of color to hold the nation’s highest law enforcement post but also because of her excellent qualifications for the role. I was proud to join many women of the Congressional … Continue Reading
April 21, 2015
It’s Past Time for Debt-Free College
Washington DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in support of the Congressional Progressive Caucus resolution to give students access to debt-free college: “I am proud to join my colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus in introducing this resolution calling for debt-free college for all. In today’s economy, the single best way to get ahead is to obtain a college degree. Yet, the rising cost of higher education is putting a quality education further … Continue Reading
April 21, 2015
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Welcomes Secretary of Veteran Affairs to the East Bay
Oakland, CA - Today, Secretary of Veteran Affairs Robert McDonald, visited the East Bay to host a California Stakeholder meeting with local members of Congress and state and county leadership. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement: “I am pleased that Secretary McDonald has accepted my invitation to visit the East Bay and meet with local and state leaders to include their ideas and guidance into federal policies to support our veterans. As the daughter of a veteran, I … Continue Reading
April 21, 2015
Congresswoman Barbara Lee: “Call the Vote and Confirm Loretta Lynch”
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G.K. Butterfield and members of the CBC to urge Senate Leadership to bring Loretta Lynch’s nomination to a vote. Loretta Lynch has been waiting 164 days for a vote, longer than the wait for the last seven Attorneys General combined. “President Obama was right in describing this delay as ‘embarrassing.’ Frankly, this hold-up is shameful,” said Congresswoman … Continue Reading
April 15, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Slams “Fast Track” Bill as a Rubber Stamp for Another Bad Trade Deal
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement on the newly introduced trade promotion authority bill: “Congress has a real and meaningful role to play in ensuring that trade deals protect American jobs, our environment and our health. “Fast Track” authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership undermines that critical role. The American people deserve a fair, open and transparent debate on trade. Instead, Fast Track allows special interests and multinational … Continue Reading
April 14, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Joins Chibok Girls to Say “Bring Back Our Girls”
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee participated in a press conference marking the one year anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 girls in Chibok, Nigeria by Boko Haram. The press conference, which called for renewed efforts to find the Chibok girls, included two survivors of the kidnapping who escaped last year. “It’s been a heartbreaking year since the Chibok girls were kidnapped. Their families are still living in terrible uncertainty. They are left wondering if they will … Continue Reading
April 13, 2015
Removing Cuba from State Sponsor of Terrorism List is “Long Overdue,” says Congresswoman Lee
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement after President Obama transmitted to Congress a certification of the Proposed Rescission of Cuba’s Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism: “I am pleased that President Obama will be removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List. This action is long overdue and is an important step toward fully normalizing relations with Cuba. Along with many of my colleagues, I have long called for Cuba to be removed from … Continue Reading
April 13, 2015
Report on Economic Challenges in Black Community is “Our Call to Action,” says Congresswoman Lee
Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following on the newly released Joint Economic Committee report on the Persistent Economic Challenges in Black Community: “Today’s Joint Economic Committee (JEC) report paints a bleak picture of the economic state of the African American community and reminds us that more action is needed to ensure our economic recovery reaches everyone. With today’s report, I am reminded of an April 14th, 1967 speech that Dr. King gave entitled “Two … Continue Reading
April 12, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Marks Equal Pay Day, Calls for Renewed Effort to Ensure Equal Pay for Equal Work
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement recognizing Equal Pay Day. The day, April 14th, symbolizes when the average woman’s paycheck finally catch up to men’s paychecks from the previous year. “In 2015, equal pay for equal work should be a reality. Yet millions of women still experience institutionalized sexism with every paycheck. For every dollar a man earns, women earn just 78 cents. For women of color that situation is even worse. On … Continue Reading
April 11, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Returns from Participating in the Summit of the Americas
Washington, DC - Last week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) traveled to Panama City to participate in the 7th Summit of the Americas. This was the first Summit in which Cuba participated. During the Summit, President Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro. “Along with many of my colleagues, I have long called for both the U.S. and Cuba to participate in the Summit of the Americas. It is an important step toward fully normalizing relations with Cuba,” said Congresswoman … Continue Reading