Press Releases
Barbara Lee: Republican Budget Plan Undercuts Economic Recovery with Reckless Spending Cuts
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, DC- Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today in reaction to the budget plan introduced by Chairman Paul Ryan and Republicans that would threaten Medicare and Medicaid and hurt our nation's most vulnerable communities: "Our nation's budget is a moral document that should serve as a blueprint for how we build our communities. The Republican budget unveiled today is morally bankrupt and is a blueprint for … Continue Reading
March 20, 2012
Barbara Lee Introduces Resolution to Honor Social Workers on World Social Work Day
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) observed World Social Work Day by introducing a House resolution honoring professional social workers. H.Res. 589 honors social work and social workers by highlighting the accomplishments and goals of the profession, which include enhancing human well-being and helping meet the basic needs for the most vulnerable in our society. "As a professional social worker, I am passionate about the … Continue Reading
March 14, 2012
White House Announces Bay Area Public Health Leader to Direct Office of National AIDS Policy
For Immediate Release March 14, 2012 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on the announcement of Dr. Grant Colfax as the new Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy: "I look forward to working with Dr. Grant Colfax, the new Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) to implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. "As the Director of HIV Prevention and Research at the San Francisco … Continue Reading
March 09, 2012
Lee Statement on February Jobs Report
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 continuing decline in unemployment rates: "I am encouraged by today's jobs report, showing a gain of 227,000 jobs in February and adding 50,000 jobs to the January tally for 293,000 jobs that month. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 12.8 million are unemployed. While the national … Continue Reading
March 08, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee to be Honored by the San Francisco Sierra Club
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham 510-763-0370 Oakland - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will be presented with the Phil Burton Badge of Courage Award during the San Francisco Sierra Club's Annual David Brower Celebration at the Intercontinental Grand Ballroom in San Francisco on Friday evening. Congresswoman Lee is being honored as a champion of environmental justice and for fighting against efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the … Continue Reading
March 07, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Receives Humane Advocate Award
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) was presented with the Humane Champion Award by the Humane Society of the United States. This award is given to legislators who received a perfect score on the 2011 Humane Scorecard, which tracks key votes as well as co-sponsorship of important pro-animal bills. "I am extremely honored to receive this award," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "I join with the nearly 20,000 supporters of … Continue Reading
March 06, 2012
Barbara Lee Statement on Passing of Donald Payne
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on the loss of Donald Payne: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and colleague, Congressman Donald Payne, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and to his constituents. "Don was truly a world renowned leader. I had the privilege to serve under his brilliant leadership as the Senior Democratic member of the House … Continue Reading
March 02, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins the Faith & Politics Institute's 12th Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) today announced participation in the 12th Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage from March 2 - 4. The pilgrimage of more than 20 Members of Congress, Civil Rights luminaries, and noted scholars and leaders will include events, meetings and tours in Birmingham, Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. Young people are also expected to participate in the pilgrimage, including three students from The Martin … Continue Reading
March 01, 2012
Barbara Lee Releases Statement in Honor of Women's History Month
For Immediate Release Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement today to commemorate Women's History Month: "The celebration of Women's History Month has grown from an idea initiated in Sonoma, California, in the 1970s by the Education Task Force, to a week established in 1978, to a month-long celebration of the impact of women throughout history. Formally established in 1987, Women's History … Continue Reading
March 01, 2012
Alameda County to Receive HHS Grant to Support HIV/AIDS Program
For Immediate Release Contact: Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced today that the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency has been selected to receive a discretionary grant award to support its HIV/AIDS-related services for predominantly low-income residents. The county will receive $7,051,038 from the Department of Health and Human Services for its HIV Emergency Relief Project, which provides … Continue Reading
February 29, 2012
Rep. Barbara Lee Calls for Justice for Underwater Mortgage Holders
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C.-Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), joined advocates in New York, Washington, D.C. and Southern California in calling on Edward DeMarco, the Acting Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to write down principal amounts for struggling homeowners. "Twelve million Americansowe more money than their home is worth," … Continue Reading
February 28, 2012
Growing Chaos and Distrust between NATO and Afghan Allies Highlights Strategic Failure of Continued Military Occupation
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to the widening uproar across Afghanistan: "The current crisis in Afghanistan only further supports the fact that there is no military solution in Afghanistan. Instead of stabilizing the country, our military presence is igniting conflict. Those who continue to advocate for an open-ended and long term military presence in Afghanistan are not paying … Continue Reading
February 17, 2012
Barbara Lee Votes Against Cuts to Unemployment Benefits, Cuts to Public Health Fund and Hospitals
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released a statement following passage of a Conference Report on H.R. 3630: "Today, I voted against the conference report for H.R. 3630 because it reduces unemployment benefits, cuts preventative health care programs, and unfairly targets federal employees' retirement. This bill was intended to provide relief to American families by allowing workers to keep more of their paychecks. … Continue Reading
February 13, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the President's Budget
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, DC- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement this morning regarding the President's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2013: "Today, President Obama presented a budget to Congress that takes important steps to construct an economy that is built to last. We must work to pass a budget and implement policies that will bring about a strong and sustainable recovery. As this recovery takes root, Congress must focus … Continue Reading
February 12, 2012
Barbara Lee Statement on Passing of Whitney Houston
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on the loss of Whitney Houston: "I was saddened to hear of the untimely passing of the legendary songstress, Whitney Houston. Miss Houston touched the hearts of many during her successful career and set new standards for female vocal artists. While she will deeply missed, she leaves a legacy of artistic excellence that cannot be matched. Whitney Houston inspired me with her voice and her spirit, … Continue Reading
February 09, 2012
Congresswoman Lee Statement in Support of Women's Access to Contraception
Contact Kristal DeKleer: (202) 225-1882 Washington, DC - Today Congresswoman Lee issued the following statement at a press conference in support of women's access to contraception. "This latest ruling on women's access to reproductive health care has been absolutely politicized once again by the Republican Party. "I was raised Catholic and I understand the tenets of the Catholic faith - and I fully understand and respect the Church's doctrine on contraception. And even though I … Continue Reading
February 09, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee & CA Democratic Members respond to Multi State Housing Settlement
Contact Kristal DeKleer: (202) 225-1882 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Congresswoman Lee, joined Rep. Zoe Lofgren and 29 members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, to release the following statement in response to the announced $25 billion multi-state housing settlement announcement: "The settlement announced today is a step forward. Attorney General Harris fought hard to ensure that Californian homeowners would receive significant relief-a minimum of $12 billion to … Continue Reading
February 08, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Objects to Continued War on Women's Health
Contact Kristal DeKleer: (202) 225-1882 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Committee on the Judiciary conducted a legislative mark up of H.R. 3541, the Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act of 2011 on February 7, 2012. This bill would criminalize doctors who provide abortion services and would provide legal recourse for the family members of a woman who decides to have an abortion. Congresswoman Lee, a member of the Congressional Pro Choice Caucus, … Continue Reading
February 07, 2012
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on Proposition 8
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 Washington, D.C.- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement regarding today's ruling by a federal court that Proposition 8 - California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage - is unconstitutional. "I am extremely pleased that the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the discriminatory ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8, violates the U.S. Constitution. Though the fight for marriage equality is far … Continue Reading
February 07, 2012
New Science Brings Urgency to National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2012
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 "We are our brother and sister's keeper," - Barbara Lee Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2012: "The theme of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2012 is 'I am My Brother's/Sister's keeper.' Never before has it been so critical that we share with our brothers and sisters the knowledge and tools to fight this epidemic. While we have … Continue Reading