Press Releases
Lee Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Arizona Immigration Law
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court issued a ruling on S.B. 1070, Arizona's controversial immigration law: "Today, the Supreme Court struck down key provisions of Arizona's immigration law, SB 1070, on the grounds that they undermined the federal government's role in immigration enforcement. Still, the Court made a grave error by failing to strike the provision that … Continue Reading
June 25, 2012
Alameda County Awarded $1,875,000 to Hire Veterans as Police Officers
Contact:Katherine Jolly, (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the Department of Justice COPS Office will award Alameda County $1,875,000 in Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program grants. This award will partially fund 15 law enforcement officer positions. The COPS Hiring Program provides funding to address the full-time sworn officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide. The … Continue Reading
June 22, 2012
Barbara Lee Statement in Support of Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement today to commemorate Caribbean-American Heritage Month: "Caribbean American Heritage Month reminds us of the large and diverse constituencies of Caribbean Americans in our nation, and provides us with an opportunity to send a message of good will to the community at home and abroad. In addition to this celebratory occasion, one is reminded of the challenges … Continue Reading
June 19, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $15 Million TIGER Grant Award for the Port of Oakland
Contact: Ricci Graham(510) 763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the Port of Oakland will be awarded a $15 million TIGER grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to modernize the Port's ship-to-rail exchange capacity. The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grant program, awards the most promising local infrastructure proposals with investments in road, rail, transit, … Continue Reading
June 15, 2012
Lee and United Nations Official Michel Sidibé Tour East Bay AIDS Facility
Contact: Katherine Jolly,510-763-0370 Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé for a site visit and tour of AIDS Project of the East Bay. This site visit is intended to inform Mr. Sidibé's work to reduce HIV/AIDS both domestically and internationally. "While we have made tremendous progress, make no mistake - HIV/AIDS is devastating communities of color, women, and young gay and bisexual men in … Continue Reading
June 15, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Change in Immigration Policy
For Immediate Release: June 15, 2012 Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Obama's executive action grants relief to undocumented youth WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) applauded the actions of President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano in announcing a major initiative to protect young undocumented immigrants raised in the United States from being deported. The policy, contained in a memo by Secretary Napolitano, will give "deferred … Continue Reading
June 14, 2012
Rep. Barbara Lee Applauds Berkeley City Council for Passing a Resolution Urging an End to Corporate Power in Elections
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Local Resolution Calls for a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United - Part of Nationwide Fight Against Explosion of Money in Politics Oakland, CA- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today hailed the Berkeley City Council vote calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling, which gave corporations and wealthy individuals the power to spend unlimited … Continue Reading
June 06, 2012
Reps. Johnson and Lee Urge White House to Address Rising HIV Rate in the South
Contact: Rep. Lee - Kristal DeKleer (202-225-1882) Rep. Johnson - Andy Phelan (404-593-9126) Reps. Johnson and Lee Urge White House to Address Rising HIV Rate in the South Members raise awareness of alarming increase HIV rates among women, particularly women of color across the country WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) today urged the White House to address the rising HIV rate in the South and among women - particularly women of … Continue Reading
June 06, 2012
Barbara Lee Statement in Honor of LGBT Pride Month
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Barbara Lee Statement in Honor of LGBT Pride Month Washington, DC- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement in recognition of LGBT Pride Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of June: "As we honor the occasion of LGBT Pride Month, we not only acknowledge the tremendous efforts of so many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who have fought for equality, but also those who have been … Continue Reading
June 05, 2012
Rep. Lee Criticizes Republicans For Blocking Consideration of Critical Paycheck Fairness Act
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Rep. Lee Criticizes Republicans For Blocking Consideration of Critical Paycheck Fairness Act Paycheck Fairness Act Updates and Modernizes the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Helps Close the Wage Gap Between Women and Men Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee condemned Republicans for continuing to stand in the way of progress for America's women and their families. Today, Senate Republicans voted to block the critical Paycheck Fairness … Continue Reading
June 04, 2012
Congresswoman Lee Discusses Unemployment Benefits at Local Event
Contact: Ricci Graham or Katherine Jolly 510-763-0370 Congresswoman Lee Discusses Unemployment Benefits at Local Event Oakland - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) today conducted a brief roundtable discussion with job-placement counselors, representatives from the Employment Development Department (EDD),and individuals whose unemployment benefits are due to expire. This meeting was held at the third-floor conference of the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC) headquarters in … Continue Reading
June 01, 2012
Lee to GOP: We Need a Jobs Bill
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following response to the figures released by the Department of Labor showing a rise in the unemployment rate to 8.2 percent: "Today, the Department of Labor released a bleak jobs report for May, adding 82,000 private sector jobs with a net gain of 69,000 jobs. The overall unemployment rate increased to 8.2 percent. "These are not simply numbers for the millions of … Continue Reading
May 31, 2012
Oakland-based Organizations Awarded $3.2 million in AmeriCorps Funding
Contact: Ricci Graham: (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will award five Oakland-based organizations a series of 2012 AmeriCorps grants totaling $3,210,500. Grants awarded by AmeriCorps are directed to organizations that sponsor national service programs concerning community needs in education, military and veteran families, economic opportunities, health, and environmental … Continue Reading
May 29, 2012
Lee Applauds ATF and Oakland PD for Operation Gideon III
Oakland - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) today released the following statement after attending a press conference to announce the results of Operation Gideon III, a long term pro-active violent crime operation in Oakland: "I want to thank the ATF and ATF Director Todd Jones for answering our call to make these critical investments in addressing crime and gun violence in Oakland. I would also like to thank Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan for their … Continue Reading
May 25, 2012
Lee Statement in Observance of Memorial Day
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in observance of Memorial Day: "On Memorial Day, it is my hope that we all take the time to honor the men and women who laid down their lives for our Nation's most treasured and highest ideals - freedom, liberty, and democracy. Let us honor the sacrifice of those who died by ensuring that the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, … Continue Reading
May 21, 2012
Barbara Lee Releases Statement on NATO Summit and Afghanistan
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Oakland, CA - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to NATO's announcement to end combat operations in Afghanistan in 2013: "While NATO leaders and President Obama took an important step toward ending the war, we need to bring our troops home now - not years from now. "As it is widely acknowledged, there is no military solution in Afghanistan. After ten long years of war, almost two … Continue Reading
May 18, 2012
Lee Opposes National Defense Reauthorization Bill
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Lee Calls for Cuts to Bloated Pentagon Budget, Swift Withdrawal from Afghanistan WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) was one of 120 Members of Congress to vote against H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Lee offered amendments to the bill which would safely and responsibly bring our troops home from Afghanistan, keep Pentagon spending within the limits of the Budget Control Act, and ensure that a … Continue Reading
May 17, 2012
Lee Amendment Calls for End to War in Afghanistan
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Lee amendment for swift withdrawal from Afghanistan falls short in House vote WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced an amendment to H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), that would bring about a responsible and immediate end to the war in Afghanistan. The amendment would end combat operations at the same time it protects troops by requiring that any dollar directed to Afghanistan could only be spent for the … Continue Reading
May 17, 2012
142 Defense Amendments in the House
By JONATHAN ALLEN | 5/17/12 9:15 AM EDT Over the next couple of days, the House will vote on how much the military can spend on its bands, whether it can detain American citizens suspected of terrorism indefinitely, and if the U.S. will continue to give aid to Pakistan. Those questions are among the 142 pending amendments to the defense authorization bill, which every year provides a sprawling and intense debate over the nation's values in matters of war and peace, caring for soldiers … Continue Reading
May 16, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes Against Partisan and Irresponsible GOP Bill to Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted against H.R. 4970, a partisan proposal offered by Republican leadership to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA was signed into law in 1994 to strengthen protections for victims of domestic and sexual violence and was reauthorized in 2000 and 2005. The GOP-sponsored bill considered today by the House of Representatives to reauthorize the law rolls back protections, … Continue Reading