Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Iran Nuclear Deal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 23, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC-- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement tonight regarding President Obama's announcement of a deal with Iran on its nuclear program: "On tonight's announcement from President Obama on the deal with Iran regarding their nuclear program, we must note the significance, but also recognize that there are challenges ahead. "This is indeed a triumph for … Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Seeks to End Harassment of Cannabis Dispensaries Leads Letter to U.S. Attorney Haag
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 21, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, joined by Reps. George Miller, Sam Farr, and Eric Swalwell, released excerpts of a letter sent to Melinda Haag, U.S. Attorney for Northern District of California regarding the ongoing "hostility toward dispensaries." The letter was sent following a string of actions against medical marijuana dispensaries. The letter reads in part: It is counterproductive and … Continue Reading
November 20, 2013
Congresswoman Lee Leads Efforts to Bring Troops Home From Afghanistan Without Delay
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 20, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- In light of the newly public draft security agreement between the United States and Afghanistan suggesting the possibility of an American troop presence in Afghanistan past 2014 and into 2024, a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders, Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Walter Jones, Jr. (R-NC), and Jim McGovern (D-MA), have sent a letter today to President Obama calling for a full withdrawal of … Continue Reading
November 20, 2013
Congresswoman Lee Receives Black Women’s Health Imperative ‘Women Who Dare’ Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 20, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC-Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee delivered the following statement upon receiving the Black Women's Health Imperative 'Women Who Dare' Award. "Thank you so much to the Black Women's Health Imperative for this tremendous honor. It is a great privilege to be among other recipients, such as Toni Morrison and my colleague Congresswoman Maxine Waters. "I know that my mentor and friend - … Continue Reading
November 19, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hails Passage of Bipartisan PEPFAR Stewardship Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 19, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement today on the House's passage of The PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act, legislation which she co-authored in the House: "I am so proud of this bipartisan, bicameral effort to pass The PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act. I'm proud of this compromise bill, and pleased that it has passed. In the current political climate, where … Continue Reading
November 18, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Assess Reconstruction Progress in Haiti
Washington, D.C. -Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H.R. 3509, the Assessing Progress in Haiti Act of 2013, which would require a comprehensive report updating Congress on the progress of the post-earthquake humanitarian, reconstruction, and development efforts in Haiti. The newly introduced bipartisan H.R. 3509 is similar to previous legislation introduced by Congresswoman Lee and is aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the U.S. Government's aid efforts in Haiti. … Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Coburn Call for New AIDS Treatment Goal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 14, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (Lee) (202) 225-2661 John Hart (Coburn) 202-228-5357 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), along with 38 other lawmakers, sent a letter to President Obama calling on the Administration to announce a doubling of the number of people on treatment through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) during the Fourth Replenishment of the Global Fund to … Continue Reading
November 10, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Pledges Support of Humanitarian Efforts After Typhoon Haiyan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 10, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement today on the destruction in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines: "My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected in the Philippines by Typhoon Haiyan and for those in my own Congressional District who have families and loved ones in the Philippines. As the people of the Philippines cope and recover from the … Continue Reading
November 08, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to October Jobs Numbers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 08, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy gained 204,000 jobs, marking the 44th month of private sector job growth. "Today's jobs report shows how resilient our economy is in light of the Republicans' irresponsible government shutdown. What remains clear is that Americans cannot afford the … Continue Reading
November 08, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks Veterans Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 08, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) offered the following statement in support of America's troops and veterans in honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday on November 11th: "As the daughter of a veteran, I believe we have a moral responsibility to keep our promise to the men and women who have served our nation so bravely. Veterans and their families deserve our full support and I will … Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Senate’s ENDA Passage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 7, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement today upon the Senate's passage of S.815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) by a vote of 64 to 32. ENDA prohibits discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. "As a co-founder and the vice chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, I applaud the Senate for passing ENDA. We have a duty as a … Continue Reading
October 10, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Hails Announcement of Shirley Chisholm Stamp
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 10, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Today, the United States Postal Service announced that former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm will be the 2014 inductee to the Black Heritage stamp series. "I am thrilled by the announcement that my dear friend, mentor, and hero, the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, will be the 2014 inductee to the United States Postal Service Black Heritage stamp series," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. … Continue Reading
October 07, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marches For Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Washington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Congressman John Lewis and others joined comprehensive immigration reform advocates for "Camino Americano: Rally and March for Immigration, Dignity, and Respect." "The fire and passion of these advocates is infectious. I was so honored to join them to march and rally for comprehensive immigration reform," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "Standing arm in arm on the National Mall was a reminder of the basic issues … Continue Reading
October 06, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on the Release of a New Poverty Index
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 7, 2013 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on Stanford University's newly released poverty index: "The Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality recently released startling new numbers on the rates of poverty in California. The study shows us that a full quarter of California's children are living in poverty, with a 6% increase in both Alameda and Contra Costa … Continue Reading
September 30, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces New Affordable Health Insurance Options Begin Today for Millions of Californians
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2013 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement to kickoff Covered California's Open Enrollment period. Covered California California's health insurance marketplace that will provide Californians and small businesses with quality, affordable health coverage options from major health insurance carriers under the Affordable Care Act. "Today is the day! Starting today, … Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Attends UN Security Council Vote on Syria Agreement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 27, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Today, in her capacity as a United States Representative to the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Congresswoman Barbara Lee attended the United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution requiring Syrian President Bashar al-Asaad to surrender his regime's chemical weapons. The draft resolution passed unanimously. "The Security Council's vote on this resolution is a … Continue Reading
September 25, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on the Pigford II Settlement Disbursements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2013 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement regarding the Pigford II settlement disbursements African American farmers began receiving this week from the United States Department of Agriculture: "The blatant and systematic discrimination the African American farmers involved in the Pigford I and II settlements endured at the hands of the U.S. Department of … Continue Reading
September 25, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Lee, joined by Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Eliot Engel, Ranking Member of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, introduced the PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act, H.R. 3177, a bill designed to extend … Continue Reading
September 22, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins United Nations General Assembly
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee, newly nominated as a Representative of the United States to the Sixty-eighth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, will spend the next two days in New York for a series of high-level meetings, including meeting with U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power and attending President Obama's address to the General Assembly on Tuesday morning. Among additional … Continue Reading
September 18, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on Sudanese President Bashir’s Planned Travel to United States
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Upon the upcoming potential travel of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement: "President Omar al-Bashir, the only sitting president with an outstanding arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, continues to defy the international community and evade arrest. "His planned travel … Continue Reading