Press Releases
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Artistic Discovery Winners
For Immediate Release: May 11, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams, 202-225-2661 Oakland, CA- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) announced that San Leandro High School senior Sumedh Vedanthi was selected as the winner of the 31st annual Artistic Discovery High School Congressional Arts Competition representing California's 13th Congressional District. Congresswoman Lee announced the winner of this year's competition during a ceremony at the Albert H. Dewitt Officers' Club in Alameda on Saturday, … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
MEDIA ADVISORY: Progressive Caucus to Hold Hearing on Drones
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2013 Press Contacts Adam Sarvana (Grijalva) - (202) 225-2435 Jeremy Slevin (Ellison) - (202) 225-4755 Carrie Adams (Lee) - (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, including Peace and Security Task Force Chair Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and CPC Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), will hold a hearing on United States drone policy today, Wednesday, May 8th, at 3:00 p.m. The … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Rep. Barbara Lee Applauds President Obama on Nominating Davita Vance-Cooks for Public Printer, Government Printing Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to President Obama nominating Davita Vance-Cooks to be Public Printer of the Government Printing Office: "I applaud President Obama for nominating Davita Vance-Cooks to be Public Printer of the Government Printing Office. "Her business background and years of experience in the GPO provide the perfect experience for managing the … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Progressive Caucus Hold Hearing on Implications of U.S. Drone Policy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2013 Press Contacts Adam Sarvana (Grijalva) - (202) 225-2435 Jeremy Slevin (Ellison) - (202) 225-4755 Carrie Adams (Lee) - (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, including Peace and Security Task Force Chair Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and CPC Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) and members of the Progressive Caucus, held a hearing today on United States drone policy. The … Continue Reading
May 07, 2013
Reps. Lee and Ros-Lehtinen Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Discriminatory HIV/AIDS Laws
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2013 Contacts: Carrie Adams (Lee) - (202) 225-2661 Alex Cruz (Ros-Lehtinen) - (202) 225-3931 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee ( D-Calif.) was joined by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) to introduce H.R. 1843, the Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal (REPEAL) HIV Discrimination Act. The REPEAL Act expresses the sense of Congress that federal and state laws, policies, and regulations should not place a … Continue Reading
May 03, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Highlights Positive Economic Growth in April Job Numbers
For Immediate Release: May 3, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced that the economy added 165,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 7.5 percent in April. With private businesses adding 176,000 jobs, this marks the 38th consecutive month of private sector growth: "Today's jobs report shows signs of progress for our country. But, it is also a … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
Rep. Barbara Lee Applauds President’s Nomination of Rep. Mel Watt to Head FHFA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement today on President Obama's nomination of CBC Member and former CBC Chair Rep. Mel Watt as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA): "I am thrilled that President Obama has nominated my dear friend and colleague, Congressman Mel Watt to direct the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Mel's leadership on the House Financial Services … Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Congresswoman Lee Calls for Prohibition of CIA ‘Ghost Money’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement today regarding the counterproductive transfer of tens of millions of dollars in cash directly from the CIA to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, as highlighted by The New York Times: "Funneling taxpayer dollars via suitcases stuffed with cash, aptly called 'ghost money,' is a recipe for economic disaster and shows misplaced priorities. We … Continue Reading
April 26, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee on FAA Sequester Fix Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement regarding her 'no' vote on H.R. 1765, the Reducing Flight Delays Act: "Sequester is impacting communities across the nation, not just the FAA. While I'm extremely concerned about the furloughs and the resulting airline delays, we need a comprehensive solution to sequester, not a piecemeal approach. "Cancer patients who are losing … Continue Reading
April 26, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Assess Progress in Haiti
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. -Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced H.R. 1749, the Assessing Progress in Haiti Act, which would require a comprehensive report updating Congress on the progress of the post-earthquake humanitarian, reconstruction, and development efforts in Haiti. "The Haitian people have continued to demonstrate resiliency, strength, and bravery despite the tragic events that have occurred. It is … Continue Reading
April 24, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Unjust Prison Telephone Charges
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.-Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement in support of the Congressional Black Caucus' Prison Telecom Reform Working Group: "I am deeply concerned by the excessively high phone rates that our prisoners and their families are faced with. "In order to address these concerns, the Congressional Black Caucus' Prison Telecom Reform Working Group has called on the Federal … Continue Reading
April 23, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on the Closing of Berkeley Main Post Office
For Immediate Release: April 23, 2013 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Postal Service's decision to sell its historic downtown Berkeley building at 2000 Allston Way: "I am incredibly disappointed that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) decided to move forward with the sale of the Berkeley Main Post Office building and will fight to reverse this decision and halt the sale of this historically significant … Continue Reading
April 23, 2013
Feminist Majority Foundation Awards Congresswoman Barbara Lee with Eleanor Roosevelt Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement upon receiving the Eleanor Roosevelt Award from the Feminist Majority Foundation for her efforts to fight global HIV/AIDS: "I am deeply honored by this award and am so grateful to the Feminist Majority Foundation for their steadfast voice in promoting women's rights in the United States and across the world. I am so inspired by Peg Yorkin … Continue Reading
April 22, 2013
Congresswoman Lee Issues Statement on Supreme Court Case USAID v. AOSI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.-Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement as the Supreme Court hears oral arguments for U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) v. Alliance for Open Society, International (AOSI). Congresswoman Lee, along with Senators Enzi, Leahy, Daschle and Frist, and Reps. Lowey, Waxman, Berman, and Kolbe, signed an amicus brief in support of AOSI. "At the heart of this case is … Continue Reading
April 22, 2013
Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity Sends Letter Seeking Prioritized Funding for Vulnerable
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD), together with Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity Chair Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), sent the following letter today to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, and on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. The letter asked that those subcommittees prioritize funding for critical … Continue Reading
April 17, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Financial Transaction Tax Bill
For Immediate Release: April 17, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams, (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement at a press conference on the Financial Transaction Tax Bill: "I want to thank Congressman Ellison for his remarkable work on this important legislation and for his excellent leadership of the Progressive Caucus. Let me also thank all the remarkable advocates here today and across the nation who have been organizing and working … Continue Reading
April 17, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Marks Ten Years Since Beginning of Genocide in Darfur
For Immediate Release: April 16, 2013 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Today, Congresswoman Barbra Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the House floor marking ten years since the beginning of genocide in Darfur: "Ten years ago this month, the international community joined together to bring the world's attention to brutal attacks by the Government of Sudan against the people of Darfur. "In 2004, Donald Payne and the Congressional Black Caucus, Leader Pelosi and others … Continue Reading
April 16, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Honors Maudelle Shirek on the House Floor
For Immediate Release: April 17, 2013 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbra Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the House floor in honor of Maudelle Shirek (View the video here): "Let me first add to the chorus of voices sending well wishes and prayers to the city of Boson and all those touched by yesterday's horrific tragedy. An incredible strength was on full display in the streets of Boston yesterday, when untold numbers of people, not … Continue Reading
April 16, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) Issues Statement on the Passing of Maudelle Shirek
For Immediate Release: April 15, 2013 Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the passing of Maudelle Shirek: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Maudelle Shirek, and my thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family. "Maudelle was truly the "godmother of East Bay progressive politics." The former City of Berkeley vice mayor and eight term council member was born and raised in … Continue Reading
April 12, 2013
Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Opposition to Chained CPI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 11, 2013 Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement regarding the President's inclusion of chained CPI in his 2014 budget proposal. The chained CPI is a cost index which helps to calculate the cost of living adjustments for benefit levels. The result is a lower measure of the impact of inflation on the cost of living for the average consumer, resulting in a lower benefit over … Continue Reading