Press Releases
Congresswoman Lee Marks National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Oakland, CA - Each year, on April 10th, Congress marks National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This year’s theme is “Engaging Youth Voices in the Response to HIV & AIDS.” “National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an important way to increase awareness about HIV and its impact on young people in this country,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee, co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 10,000 young … Continue Reading
April 08, 2015
Congresswoman Lee: Recommendation to Remove Cuba from State Sponsor of Terrorism List is “An Important Step Forward to Fully Normalizing Relations”
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement in response to the State Department’s recommendation that Cuba be removed from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List: “I am pleased to see the State Department’s recommendation encouraging the removal of Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List. This action is an important step forward to fully normalizing relations. Along with many of my colleagues, I have long called for Cuba to be removed from this list. In … Continue Reading
April 06, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Announces Millions in Federal Grants to the East Bay
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced more than $7.4 million in federal grants to the East Bay. More than $4 million will support nutrition programs that fight food insecurity in the East Bay. “I would like to congratulate the Berkeley Ecology Center and Mandela MarketPlace on their National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grants. This federal grant helps ensure a vital avenue for access to healthy food in our community,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Berkeley … Continue Reading
April 05, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Remembers the Life and Legacy of Dr. Gardner C. Taylor
Oakland, CA -Congresswoman Lee issued the following statement on the passing of Civil Rights legend and icon, Dr. Gardner C. Taylor. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Gardner C. Taylor. He was icon in the Civil Rights Movement and a renowned faith leader. He was a prophetic preacher that was unwavering in his stance to speak truth to power. Dr. Taylor’s voice was reverenced across our nation. He understood the needs of the people and his accomplishments are reflective of that … Continue Reading
April 01, 2015
Iran Deal is "Important Achievement," says Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on news of a framework agreement between the P5+1 and Iran to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon: “If fully implemented, today’s framework agreement would prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon, enhance our national security and show that diplomacy works. This is a major step forward for diplomacy, national security and global peace. This type of smart, strategic diplomacy brings us closer to a more peaceful and secure world while … Continue Reading
March 31, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Says GOP Budget Means Less Education for California's Kids
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Lee held a press conference to discuss the disastrous implications of the GOP Budget on East Bay families. The budget makes severe cuts to Head Start programs as well as K-12 and higher education. Congresswoman Lee was joined by Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Antwan Wilson, City of Oakland Head Start Division Manager Usana Hopkins and Peralta College Board of Trustees President Meredith Brown. The GOP Budget would kick more than 4,500 … Continue Reading
March 24, 2015
UN Memorial Confronts Our Painful History and the Legacy of Slavery
Washington DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement commemorating the unveiling of the Permanent Memorial to Honor the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations: “The legacy of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade is a brutal, inhumane and immoral stain on the history of the U.S. and the collective history of humankind. The horrors of the Middle Passage, during which thousands died, and the inhumanity of American slavery cannot be forgotten or … Continue Reading
March 23, 2015
"It's Past Time for Our Brave Servicemen and Women to Come Home," Says Congresswoman Lee on Slowed Withdrawal of U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on the plan to keep 9,800 American servicemen and women in Afghanistan through 2016: “After more than a decade of open-ended war, it’s past time for our brave servicemen and women to come home. I am deeply troubled by this new plan to maintain nearly 10,000 American troops in Afghanistan through 2016. Military and foreign policy experts agree that there is no military solution in Afghanistan; a political solution is … Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Marks National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Washington, D.C. - Since 2007, National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed each year on the first day of Spring. The day began as a way to increase local and global awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indian and Alaska Native people. “The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to affect all of our communities, including American Indians and Alaska Natives. While we are seeing lower rates of new infections within these communities, we must continue to ensure that the culturally … Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Calls on Congress to Prevent Sale of Historic US Postal Buildings
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced legislation to halt the sale and consolidation of historic US Postal Service facilities. The Moratorium on US Historic Postal Buildings Act would prevent USPS from selling any facility until all buildings listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places are removed from the auction block. “These historic post offices are an irreplaceable part of our nation’s history. They belong to the American people,” … Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Prevent Gun Violence with Data - Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Repeal Tiahrt Restrictions That Endanger Public Safety
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Lee has introduced The Tiahrt Restrictions Repeal Act (H.R. 1449) to enhance efforts to prevent gun violence by providing law enforcement with greater access to vital information. “Gun violence is a public health epidemic. No one would stop the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention from tracking data on heart disease or an infectious disease like measles,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Law enforcement needs access to vital information to ensure public … Continue Reading
March 17, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Co-Sponsors Bill to Help More Than 2.3 Million Californians Struggling with Student Loan Debt
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee announced her co-sponsorship of Congressman Joe Courtney’s (D-CT) Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act of 2015. The bill would allow borrowers to refinance their students loans to a lower rate, similar to the rate available on new student loans. Some borrowers could refinance undergraduate loans at 3.86 percent. “Too many people are putting their futures on hold because they are buried under mountains of student loan debt. Student … Continue Reading
March 17, 2015
Congresswoman Lee and Senator Stabenow Introduce Resolution to Support Social Work
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Senator Stabenow (D-MI) introduced a Congressional Resolution to highlight the positive impact of social workers on their communities and to mark National Social Work Month and World Social Work Day. “As a psychiatric social worker, I am proud of the contributions that our nation’s social workers make every day in our communities by supporting the most vulnerable,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “This resolution brings long … Continue Reading
March 17, 2015
Congresswoman Lee's Statement on the Congressional Progressive Caucus's People's Budget
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lee joined her colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and progressive partners in unveiling the CPC’s People’s Budget. She released this statement: “The CPC’s People’s Budget invests in American families, not special interests. Despite a recovering economy, too many Americans are still struggling to make ends meet. This budget helps American families and makes much needed investments to support the most vulnerable and communities … Continue Reading
March 16, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Slams House Republican Budget "Rigged for Special Interests and the One Percent"
Washington DC - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement in response to the proposed House Republican budget: “The House Republicans’ so-called ‘balanced’ budget is not ‘balanced;’ it’s rigged for special interests and the one percent. By cutting food stamps, denying healthcare to millions and ending Medicare as we know it, this budget shows that Republican priorities lie only the wealthy and the well-connected. This budget funds corporate giveaways and a larger slush fund for … Continue Reading
March 15, 2015
Hoyer, Lee Commend CBO Report Highlighting Damaging Effects of SNAP Cuts on Low Income Households
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report on the distributional effects of potential cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) spending on households with different incomes. The report follows a request from Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, to look into this … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Visits Oakland School to Recognize National Literacy Week
Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Lee visited the Think College Now School in Oakland’s Fruitvale District as a part of her commitment to education and literacy. The program is based in an Oakland Unified School District elementary school. The Congresswoman worked with students and their community volunteer tutors on their assignments and read aloud with the group. AmeriCorps and Reading Partners, a national education non-profit organization, have successfully provided volunteer-led … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Condemns Hyperpartisan Letter to Iran from GOP Senators
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement in response to the reckless letter authored by 47 Senate Republicans concerning diplomatic negotiations with Iran: “The open letter authored to the leadership of Iran is a reckless and hyperpartisan attempt to derail ongoing negotiations and to undermine President Obama and our national security. The current negotiations have already led to a first-step agreement that has significantly reduced Iran’s nuclear stockpile and … Continue Reading
March 09, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Marks National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, released this statement marking National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: “In recent years, we have made great strides in providing HIV/AIDS education, counseling, testing and treatment to women and girls, both at home and abroad. However, women continue to be underserved as we work to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that … Continue Reading
March 05, 2015
Congresswoman Lee Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Selma to Montgomery March & Bloody Sunday
Selma, AL - Congresswoman Lee will join President Obama, Congressman John Lewis, members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congress, faith leaders and others to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March & Bloody Sunday. She released this statement marking the event: “Fifty years ago, our nation watched as six hundred young people, faith leaders and activists changed the course of history as they led a march from Selma to Montgomery. These peaceful … Continue Reading