Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hails Passage of Water Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. -Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement following the House’s passage of H.R. 3080, the Conference Report for the Water Resource Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). This common-sense, bipartisan legislation invests in modern water infrastructure projects and will allow entities like the Port of Oakland to access additional funding for improvements: “For many … Continue Reading
May 19, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly: (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - This morning, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), the congressional representative to the United Nations, delivered the following remarks at the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly in support of the consensus resolution “Interaction between the United Nations, national parliaments and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)”: “Good morning and thank you, Mr. President. I am honored to be … Continue Reading
May 17, 2014
Congresswoman Lee Receives Honorary Doctorate from the American Baptist Seminary of the West
For Immediate Release: Saturday, May 17th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510)-763-0370 Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW) during its 143rd commencement ceremony which was held at the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church in Oakland, CA. Congresswoman Lee’s nomination for this distinguished honor was unanimously approved by the organization’s Board of Trustees. “I am humbled … Continue Reading
May 16, 2014
Media Advisory: Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Speak at United Nations General Assembly
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly: (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), congressional representative to the United Nations, will speak at the UN General Assembly on Monday, May 19th. The UN General Assembly is expected to adopt a consensus resolution recognizing the importance of a clear role for parliaments at the global decision-making level. The resolution - Interaction between the United Nations, national parliaments and the … Continue Reading
May 13, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Celebrates National Small Business Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Oakland, CA — Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement recognizing National Small Business Week: “During Small Business Week, please join me in celebrating East Bay small businesses and the hardworking individuals who make them possible. Small businesses are truly the engine that drives our local economy, and they are an integral part of our region’s continued economic recovery. “The … Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
Representatives Lee, Honda and Pittenger Pen Bi-Partisan Letter to President Obama on Nigeria
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, … Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
Congresswoman Lee Fights for Community Policing and Re-entry Program Funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, offered two justice-related amendments during Committee consideration of the funding bill for Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. The first amendment provides additional $177 million in funding to the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring program which provides state, local and tribal … Continue Reading
May 08, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Bipartisan Members, Introduce the War Authorization Review and Determination Act, H.R. 4608, to Limit Executive Branch’s ‘Blank Check’ for Military Force
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced the bipartisan War Authorization Review and Determination Act (WARD Act, H.R. 4608), to reinsert Congressional oversight and determination into any future use of military force, as well as repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). As the House prepares to take up the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act, Congresswoman Lee … Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Kidnapping of Nigerian Students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC—Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s decision to deploy U.S. resources to Nigeria to aid in the recovery efforts of the over 200 girls reportedly abducted from school in a rural Nigeria: “I join in the world’s outrage over the abduction of over 200 girls from their school in rural Nigeria by terrorist group Boko Haram. … Continue Reading
May 05, 2014
Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Lee released the following statement marking Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: “I’m happy to join communities across the country celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The contributions of Asian Pacific Americans are an integral part of our nation’s history and … Continue Reading
May 05, 2014
Congresswomen Speier and Lee Urge UC Berkeley to Improve Prevention and Response to Sexual Assault
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5th, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and Congresswoman Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City) issued the following statement today after sending a joint letter to UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks on prevention and response to sexual assaults on campus. Speier and Lee met with Dirks and student survivors on campus April 15, 2014. “As a graduate of UC Berkeley, I was … Continue Reading
May 01, 2014
Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Piedmont Beautification Foundation’s 50th Anniversary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C.—Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued a statement regarding the Piedmont Beautification Foundation’s 50th anniversary: “Since 1964 the Piedmont Beautification Foundation has worked tirelessly to beautify, maintain and renovate the greenscape and public buildings of Piedmont. From the construction of Ramona/Ronada traffic triangle to the Dracena Park Bridge restoration and countless other … Continue Reading
April 29, 2014
Secretary Hagel Addresses Unauthorized Hairstyles, Responds to Letter Sent by Women of the CBC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 29, 2014 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.— Today, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel released a letter in response to the women of the Congressional Black Caucus who brought to his attention the discriminatory regulations regarding the Uniform Code and hair styles, particularly as it pertains to women of color (text of the letter can be found here). “I’m very pleased that Secretary Hagel is beginning to address this issue in a … Continue Reading
April 29, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Raising the Minimum Wage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 29, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) Issued Statement on Raising the Minimum Wage: “On the eve of the U.S. Senate’s vote on legislation to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, I am proud of my home state, California, for leading the minimum wage movement by signing into law legislation last September that increases the state minimum wage from $8.00 per hour to $9.00, … Continue Reading
April 28, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Named One of the Best on Capitol Hill for Digital Media by Congressional Management Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2014 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE NAMED ONE OF THE BEST ON CAPITOL HILL FOR DIGITAL MEDIA BY CONGRESSIONAL MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION Awarded Excellence For Social Media, Official Website One of Five Members of House and Senate to Win in Both Categories WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee was recognized as a leader in website design and social media excellence by the the Congressional Management … Continue Reading
April 28, 2014
Barbara Lee Announces $16M in Federal Health Grants
For Immediate Release: April 28, 2014 Contact: Katherine Jolly, (510) 763-0370 Oakland, CA. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced a total of $15,926,537 in Department of Health and Human Services grant to Bay Area community health care providers. These grants will allow Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, Asian Health Services*, La Clinica de La Raza, Lifelong Medical Care and West Oakland Health Council, Inc. to provide quality and affordable medical and … Continue Reading
April 23, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Supreme Court Decision Regarding Affirmative Action
Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the United States Supreme Court decision on Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action that upheld Michigan Proposal 2, prohibiting the states public colleges and universities from utilizing affirmative action policies: “Over the decades, research has shown that institutional and structural racism are barriers in educational achievement and success in the workforce, but today's Supreme Court decision takes our country … Continue Reading
April 10, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Blasts Ryan Budget on House Floor
Washington, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee spoke on the House Floor in strong support of the Democratic Alternative Budget for Fiscal Year 2015 and in opposition to the Ryan Budget, which passed the House 219 to 205. Her remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below. A video of her floor statement can be found here. Earlier this week, she spoke in support of both the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Progressive Caucus Budgets. … Continue Reading
April 10, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins Women of the CBC for Letter to DOD Secretary Hagel on Unauthorized Hairstyles, Uniform Code
Washington, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in support of the letter that all women members of the Congressional Black Caucus sent to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, encouraging him to reconsider the impact of updated regulation AR-670-1. The updated regulation lists natural hairstyles traditionally worn by minority women as unauthorized. A copy of the full letter can be downloaded here. “African American women, time and time again, have been held … Continue Reading
April 10, 2014
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks Equal Pay Day, Calls for Passage of Equal Pay Act
Washington, D.C. - As the United States marks Equal Pay Day on April 8, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined colleagues at the White House and released the following statement. Equal Pay Day symbolizes when, more than three months into the year, women’s wages finally catch up to what men were paid in the previous year: “Nationwide women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, despite the fact that the Equal Pay Act will mark its 51st anniversary in June. These numbers are even … Continue Reading